The Karnataka High Court recently quashed a First Information Report (FIR) registered against Founder and Managing Partner of Kreetam Law Associates, Advocate Vasanth Adithya J for allegedly assaulting and throwing a water bottle at an intern. [Vasanth Adithya J v. The State of Karnataka and Anr.]
Justice K Natarajan quashed the FIR after he was informed that the complainant had no objection to settling the matter with the petitioner and that the parties had filed a joint memo with the Bar Council of Karnataka for withdrawing the complaint.
The Court cited the Supreme Court’s decision in Gian Singh vs. State of Punjab and Anr, in which it was held that in a civil matter, where the wrong is personal in nature and in which the parties have resolved the disagreement, courts could quash proceedings.
The case was filed by the police following a complaint against the lawyer by one of his interns alleging that after an altercation, he threw a water bottle at her and further sent her obnoxious and objectionable text messages. Her phone was also thrown away by him, it was alleged.
In April this year, the lawyer had moved the High Court to have the FIR quashed but the same was denied, as the investigation was still underway. He had alleged that the incident had been blown out of proportion by the police in active collusion with the complainant.
The petitioner appeared in person. High Court Government Pleader RD Renukaradhya appeared for the State, while Advocate DV Senthil Kumar represented the complainant.
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