In a significant ruling, the Karnataka High Court has decided not to quash the criminal proceedings against a married man accused of relentlessly stalking a nursing student, thereby jeopardizing her marriage prospects, and ultimately leading to her tragic suicide. The case, Naveen G v State of Karnataka, was presided over by Justice M Nagaprasanna.
Allegations and Court Observations
The allegations against the accused include making unwanted romantic advances, stalking the victim, and sabotaging her potential matrimonial alliances. Justice M Nagaprasanna noted that if these allegations hold true, they would constitute abetment of suicide. The court remarked, “The complaint and the charge sheet, if read as a whole, prima facie depict the deceased being progressively cornered—her refusal allegedly ignored, her privacy threatened, her workplace invaded by pursuit, her matrimonial prospects repeatedly sabotaged, and her apprehension that she would not be permitted to lead a life independent of the petitioner allegedly reinforced by his continued conduct.”
Court Ruling and Proceedings
The High Court dismissed the petition filed by the accused to quash the case, emphasizing that the current proceedings must be allowed to proceed to trial. The accused, who is a father of two, was alleged to have pursued the victim persistently despite her clear rejection of his advances. This continued harassment allegedly included following her to her workplace and forcing her to accompany him to various places, including Dharmasthala, where he took photos of her.
The victim’s mother, the complainant, claimed that the accused used these photos to threaten and disrupt her daughter’s marriage negotiations. The petitioner is said to have contacted potential grooms and misrepresented himself as being in a relationship with the victim, thereby causing her marriage prospects to falter.
Impact on the Victim and Legal Proceedings
According to court records, the victim had attempted suicide once before, on July 5, 2025. Following this incident, elders intervened, and the accused promised to cease his harassment, leading to the withdrawal of an earlier complaint. However, the harassment allegedly continued, culminating in the victim’s suicide on July 29, 2025. Justice Nagaprasanna emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The life of a young woman has come to an abrupt end. The prosecution alleges that, before that end came, there was a sustained trail of pursuit, coercion, intimidation, and interference with her freedom to choose the course of her own life.”
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The case must now proceed to trial to determine the veracity of the charges. Advocate Lakshmikanth K represented the petitioner, while High Court Government Pleader Rashmi Patel appeared on behalf of the State. Advocate Raksha Keerthana represented the complainant.
The Court also highlighted the significance of the accused’s continued harassment even after the victim’s initial suicide attempt, suggesting it was a “warning written in unmistakable terms.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the helpline numbers provided below:
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- iCall – 9152987821 (Health Helpline – Mon—Sat, 10 AM—8 PM. Languages: English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Assamese, Kashmiri.)
- Helpline: 9820466726
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