Puttur: A significant development took place in the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday in connection with a case filed against the son of a BJP leader over allegations of cheating a woman following a relationship. The court suggested that the dispute be resolved through mediation and directed all parties to participate in settlement proceedings.
The development came during the hearing of a petition filed by Krishna J Rao of Puttur, who has sought the quashing of the criminal case registered against him. The matter was heard by the single-judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna.
Court suggests mediation route
During the hearing, senior advocate P P Hegde, appearing on behalf of the petitioner, informed the court that the dispute could potentially be resolved through mutual mediation between the parties.
Taking note of the submission, Justice M Nagaprasanna directed the complainant, the accused and all individuals connected with the case to compulsorily appear before the Mediation Centre on June 19. The court indicated that an amicable settlement could be explored before proceeding further with the legal challenge seeking quashing of the case.
The mediation process is expected to determine whether both sides can arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution, which may influence the future course of the proceedings.
Court orders release of deposited amount
As part of an earlier direction issued by the High Court, accused Krishna J Rao had deposited ₹75,000 before the court towards the first month’s payment.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the court ordered that the deposited amount be released to the complainant immediately.
In addition, the court directed the accused to deposit another ₹75,000 towards the second month’s payment within the next four days. The direction forms part of the interim arrangements made while the matter remains under judicial consideration.
Further hearing on June 30
The High Court adjourned the matter to June 30 for further hearing.
The bench clarified that the future course of legal proceedings would depend on the report submitted by the Mediation Centre after the scheduled mediation session on June 19. The report will indicate whether the parties have reached a settlement or whether the matter requires further adjudication before the court.
Legal observers note that referral to mediation reflects the judiciary’s continued emphasis on resolving certain disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms wherever possible, particularly in matters involving personal grievances and settlement possibilities.
Outcome depends on mediation report
The mediation proceedings are expected to play a crucial role in determining the next steps in the case. If a settlement is reached, the parties may seek appropriate legal remedies before the court. If mediation fails, the High Court will continue hearing the petition seeking quashing of the case on its merits.
Until then, all parties have been directed to cooperate with the mediation process and comply with the court’s interim directions regarding payments and appearances.