VALLABHA DINAKAR BHAT PUJARI Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is being prosecuted for offenses punishable under Ss. 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, as well as Sec. 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

(2.) Respondent No. 2 lodged a First Information Report (FIR) on June 21, 2022, alleging that unauthorized websites had been created in the name of Ganagapura Sri Dattatreya Temple. A meeting organized by the temple, under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner who serves as the President of the temple, discussed that these unauthorized websites were causing losses to the government treasury. The official website of the temple is www.devalaganagapura.com, which belongs to the State Government. However, another website, allegedly created illegally, was collecting funds from devotees in advance for performing pooja, homa, and providing other facilities.

(3.) Following the investigation, the police submitted a charge sheet against the petitioner.