Karnataka High Court Quashes Case Against BJP Secretary For Placing Hoardings During PM Modi's Rally

The Karnataka High Court has quashed a case registered against BJP Secretary Lokesh Ambekallu for placing hoardings during PM Modi's rally.

The Court was considering a Writ Petition filed seeking quashing of the case registered for offences punishable under Section 3 of the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention Of Disfigurement) Act, 1981.

The Bench of Justice SR Krishna Kumar observed, "....there is no material to specifically indicate that the petitioner was actually involved in placing the hoardings, buntings and tying of the flags at public places and merely because the petitioner sought permission for holding the rally, the petitioner cannot be roped into the alleged offence."

The Petitioner was represented by Advocate Vinod Kumar M., while the Respondent was represented by High Court Government Pleader Nageshwarappa K.

The Court concluded that the offences under Section 3 of the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention Of Disfigurement) Act, 1981 have not been made out against the Petitioner, especially when the alleged incident took place, the Petitioner was at the spot for the purpose of organizing a rally of the Prime Minister for which requisite permission to conduct the rally was obtained by the Petitioner.

Noting that the FIR and other materials do not disclose a cognizable offence and continuation of the impugned criminal proceedings would tantamount to abuse of process of law, the Court quashed the same.

Cause Title: Lokesh Ambekallu vs. State of Karnataka

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