Karnataka HC quashes FIR against man over 'Vote for Modi' wedding invite
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has quashed an FIR and related criminal proceedings against Shivaprasad, a resident of Dakshina Kannada district, for including a message on his wedding invitation urging guests to vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
Justice M Nagaprasanna, delivering the order on Tuesday, also quashed proceedings against Balakrishna A, the owner of the printing agency that produced the invitations. A detailed judgment is awaited.
The FIR, filed under s. 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and s. 127A of the Representation of the People Act (RP Act), was based on a complaint by election officer Sandesh KN. The officer alleged that Shivaprasad’s invitation card, which read, "Voting for Modi is the gift for my wedding," violated the election code of conduct.
However, Shivaprasad, represented by advocate Vinod Kumar, argued that the invitations were printed on March 1, prior to the enforcement of the election code, which commenced on March 16 following the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule. The complaint, filed on April 19, was therefore claimed to be invalid.
Justice Nagaprasanna, during an earlier hearing on November 11, granted an interim stay on the FIR, noting that the alleged offence under the RP Act could not apply as the invitations were printed before the code of conduct took effect. The Court further observed procedural lapses in the Magistrate's handling of the case, deeming the FIR "bad in law."
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Man mowed down by speeding car in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): A man was allegedly mowed down by a speeding car on MG Road in the heart of the city on early Friday morning, police said.
Srinivas, who was in his late 50s, died on the spot in the accident that occurred at Anil Kumble Junction here, they said.
According to police, the accident occurred at around 4.30 am. Srinivas was walking along the side of the road when a car travelling at high speed allegedly hit him with immense force. The driver of the offending vehicle fled the spot.
The impact of the accident was so severe that Srinivas died on the spot, a senior police officer said.
A case of accident under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death due to negligence has been registered, he said.
CCTV cameras installed in the area are being analysed to identify the offending vehicle, police said, adding that further investigation is underway.
