Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (JD)

Bengaluru, Jun 27: The Karnataka high court has quashed the FIR registered against former minister Pramod Madhwaraj and the subsequent proceedings before the trial court in connection with his remarks defending the assault on a woman accused of theft at Malpe harbour last year.

Justice M Nagaprasanna passed the order while allowing the criminal petition filed by Madhwaraj, who had sought the quashing of the FIR and the pending trial court proceedings.

The FIR had been registered based on a complaint filed by a police sub-inspector after Madhwaraj allegedly justified the incident in which a woman, accused of theft, was tied to a tree and assaulted by members of the public at Malpe harbour.

In its order, the high court observed that the statements made by the petitioner did not constitute an offence of provoking riots or inciting unlawful assembly. Holding that the essential ingredients of the alleged offences were absent, the court quashed the FIR.

The incident dates back to March 18, 2025, when a woman accused of theft at Malpe harbour was allegedly tied to a tree and assaulted by a group of people. A case was registered at the Malpe police station, and five persons were arrested and produced before the court.

Subsequently, several fishermen's associations, including the Malpe Fishermen's Association, convened a meeting at the harbour to discuss and peacefully resolve issues arising from the incident. It was during this meeting that Madhwaraj delivered the speech which later led to the registration of the FIR against him.