Karnataka homestay owner’s chargesheet quashed in US national assault case

The Karnataka High Court Monday quashed the chargesheet against a Kodagu homestay owner accused of failing to report the alleged sexual assault of a US national and of violating provisions of the Foreigners Act.

Justice M Nagaprasanna allowed the owner’s petition and quashed the chargesheet insofar as it related to him.

“It is made clear that observations made in the course of the order were only made for consideration of the case of the petitioner and same shall not bind or influence against any other accused pending before any other fora,” Justice Nagaprasanna said.

Advocate Angad Kamath, who appeared for the owner, argued that he was not present at the homestay when the alleged offence took place. “Since he (Petitioner) was absent, he neither had knowledge of the alleged offence nor could he have intentionally omitted to report it.”