HEMANT NIMBALKAR Vs. N. SANTOSH HEGDE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner and the learned Counsel for the respondents.

(2.) Present petition is f i led under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. requesting this Court to set aside the order dated 24.03.2012 passed by the learned JMFC-IV, Belgaum in Private Complaint bearing PCR 66/2012 and conf irmed in Criminal Revision Petition No.236/2012. Petitioner herein was the complainant in a case bearing Private Complaint No.66/2012. Respondents herein were the accused 1 to 13 in the said case.

(3.) The main al legation made in the complaint fi led under Section 200 of Cr.P.C. against the accused is that, they have defamed the complainant by making false al legations in a press conference held by accused Nos. 1 and 2. Accused No.1 was the Lokayukta during the year 2009 and accused No.2 was the Additional Director General of Pol ice, Karnataka Lokayukta during the year 2009. On 18.03.2009, a joint press conference was held by accused Nos. 1 and 2 in the off ice of Lokayukta at Bangalore disclosing some false information about the complainant, relating to a case registered against him under Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as the 'P.C. Act', for short) in regard to the alleged acquisition of assets disproportionate to the known source of income to an extent of Rs.250 crores.