Krishnoji Rao vs The State Of Karnataka

Headnote AI-drafted · Editorially reviewed

These are a batch of twenty-one criminal petitions filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (now Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) along with a connected writ petition, seeking quashing of FIRs registered in various crime numbers of Sheshadripuram Police Station, Bengaluru, arising out of alleged offences of criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, and use of forged documents by officers and associated persons of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). The FIRs allege, inter alia, fabrication and use of forged documents in connection with BDA allotments and transactions, punishable under Sections 409, 420, 465, 468, 471, 472 and 120B read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

The petitioners, who include BDA officials and connected individuals, sought quashing of the criminal proceedings on the ground that the FIRs do not disclose cognisable offences and that the proceedings constitute an abuse of the process of court. The matters were clubbed and heard together before a Single Judge of the Karnataka High Court at Bengaluru owing to commonality of facts, parties and legal issues arising from the BDA-related transactions.

The judgment was pronounced by the Hon'ble Mr Justice Mohammad Nawaz on 21 April 2025, disposing of the batch of petitions. The precise operative relief granted or declined in respect of each petition is set out in the body of the judgment.

Catchwords: quashing of FIR Section 482 CrPC Section 528 BNSS Bangalore Development Authority criminal breach of trust cheating forgery use of forged documents criminal conspiracy BDA allotments abuse of process