17-Yr-Old Victim Had 'Worldly Knowledge Of Consequences': Karnataka High Court Grants Bail In POCSO Case, Notes She Married Accused

The Karnataka High Court has granted bail to a 28-year-old man accused of marrying a 17-year-old girl and indulging in sexual relations with her on the ground that the girl had worldly knowledge about the consequences of her actions. [2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 217]The single judge bench of Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty noted in the order that the accused and the survivor were in love and got married at...

Karnataka High Court Permits Proposed Basavakalyan Hindu Convention But Says Seer Adrushya Kadeshwara Swami Can't Give Speech

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (June 25) granted permission to conduct a convention organised by 'Basavadi Shiva Sharana Bruhat Hindu Samavesha' scheduled for June 28 with a specific prohibition on the invitee Kaneri Mutt seer Sri Adrushya Kadeshwara Swamiji delivering any speech during the event.The single judge bench of Justice S.R Krishnakumar, sitting at Kalaburagi, added further...

'Animals Are Not Chattels': Karnataka High Court Quashes Order Returning Rescued Dogs To Alleged Abuser

Noting that animals are not 'mere chattels existing solely for human utility' and every act of cruelty against them is a 'blemish upon the collective human conscience', the Karnataka High Court has quashed a trial court order directing the return of nine rescued dogs to their original owner, facing allegations of cruelty, repeated beatings, and sexual abuse. [2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 216]The...

Central Zoo Authority Forms Expert Panel On Zoo Safety After Hippopotamus Kills Trainee Veterinarian; Karnataka High Court Closes PIL

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) told the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday [June 24] that it has formed an expert committee to formulate SOPs and related protocols for zoo veterinarians, staff and other animal handlers, following the death of a trainee veterinarian who was mauled by a pregnant hippopotamus at Shivamogga Zoo recently.[2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 215]The Division Bench of Chief...

Renukaswamy Murder Case: Karnataka High Court To Decide Whether Prosecution Can Cross-Examine Own Witness Without Declaring Her Hostile

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (June 24) orally remarked that it will consider whether clarificatory questions which are leading in nature can be asked to a prosecution witness in Renuka Swamy murder case, without declaring the witness hostile. The court was hearing State's petition challenging a trial court order that rejected its request to cross-examine a prosecution witness [mother...

Karnataka High Court Orders Status Quo On Civic Amenity Site Allotted To Educational Trust Purportedly Linked To MLA

Granting interim relief to Padma Vijaya Foundation, the Karnataka High Court last week ordered status quo on the allotment of a prime civic amenity (CA) site to 'Parishrama Educational Trust', which is purportedly founded by the sitting Congress MLA of Chikkaballapur- Pradeep Eshwar.The single judge bench of Justice B.M Shyama Prasad heard the plea filed by the not-for-profit petitioner,...

'Minor Boys Not Safe': Karnataka High Court Says It Will Cancel Vachanananda Swami's Anticipatory Bail In POCSO Case

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday (June 23) orally remarked that it will cancel anticipatory bail granted to Vachanananda Swami booked in a POCSO case over allegations of sodomy and permit him to seek regular bail. The court was hearing the complainant's plea challenging Sessions Court's May 2 order granting anticipatory bail to Vachanananda Swamiji who has been booked for offences...

Private Criminal Contempt Plea Without AG Consent Can Be Placed Before Chief Justice As 'Information' For Suo Motu Action: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court has held that a criminal contempt petition filed by a private party, without obtaining prior consent of the Advocate General of India, cannot proceed as a regular contempt petition, but may be treated as “information” and be placed before the Chief Justice for consideration of whether any suo motu action should be initiated. [2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 214]A Division...

Karnataka High Court Directs Oil Marketing Companies To Consider Distillery's Plea For Enhanced Ethanol Supply Allocation

The Karnataka High Court has directed various Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to consider and decide a representation submitted by a distillery seeking enhancement of ethanol allocation for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025–26. [2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 213]The OMCs in question are Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Indian Oil Corporation...

Social Media Must Regulate Intimidating Posts: Karnataka High Court While Denying Bail To 4 Over 'Obscene Posts' Against Darshan's Wife

The Karnataka High Court last month denied bail to four persons who have been booked for making obscene posts on social media against actor Darshan's wife Vijaylakshmi Darshan. [2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 212]Justice S Rachaiah dismissed the bail petitions in four separate orders and noted:"No doubt, freedom of speech of expressions are guaranteed to its citizens under the Constitution...

'Indiscriminate Adjournments Are Clogging Courts': Karnataka High Court Directs Conclusion Of 15-Year-Old Criminal Case

The Karnataka High Court on Monday (June 22) said that grant of indiscriminate adjournments without any rhyme or reason is the reason which is clogging the courts. [2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 211]The court made the oral observation while directing the trial court to conclude the proceedings in a 15-year-old criminal case, after noting that the matter was adjourned by the concerned court on a plethora...

'Generating Panic Amongst Citizens': Karnataka High Court Refuses To Stay FIR Against Doctor Over 'Spurious Milk' Reel

The Karnataka High Court on Monday (June 22) refused to stay probe in an FIR against a doctor who was booked after she allegedly made a Reel on Instagram regarding a strawberry flavoured milk product, claiming that it was spurious. As per reports, the Doctor was booked for spreading misinformation regarding the product. During the hearing today the petitioner's counsel said that the petitioner...