MENAKA Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is before this Court seeking quashment of an order dtd. 15/4/2023 by which the 'B' report submitted by the Investigating Officer is accepted and proceedings are closed.

(2.) Heard Sri.Krishne Gowda.L.S., learned counsel appearing for petitioner and Sri.Mahesh Shetty, learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for respondent No.1.

(3.) Petitioner is the complainant; the respondents 2 to 7 are accused. A crime comes to be registered by the petitioner in Crime No.16 of 2022 for offences punishable under Ss. 354 , 504 , 506 and 509 r/w Sec. 149 of the IPC and Ss. 3, 3(1)(e), 3(1)(h) and 3(1)(r) of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities), Act, 1989. The police, after investigation, filed a 'B' report before the concerned Court on 18/8/2022. The proceedings since 18/8/2022 up to the closure of the case needs to be noticed and is extracted for the purpose of quick reference: <IMG>JUDGEMENT_181_LAWS(KAR)5_2023_1.jpg</IMG> <IMG>JUDGEMENT_181_LAWS(KAR)5_2023_2.jpg</IMG> On 18/8/2022 'B' report is filed by the investigating officer. The notice is issued to the complainant. The complainant appears and seeks time to file objections to the 'B' report. The matter is then adjourned to 21/1/2023 and thereafter to 18/3/2023 to hear on the protest memo. On 18/3/2023 it is directed to be listed on 15/4/2023. On 15/4/2023 the case is closed by accepting the 'B' report, as there was no representation on behalf of the complainant, hitherto to the said date, the complainant has been diligent in appearing before the Court and seeking time or otherwise and the Court adjourned the matter to hear on the protest memo.