Karnataka HC quashes Covid-era case against Mangaluru doctor Srinivas Kakkilaya

Mangaluru: The Karnataka High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against noted Mangaluru physician Dr. Srinivas Kakkilaya in a case registered during the Covid-19 pandemic for allegedly entering a shop without wearing a mask.

The case was registered by the Mangaluru East (Kadri) Police in connection with an incident that allegedly took place on May 18, 2021.

Following the filing of a charge sheet, the matter came before the VI JMFC Court in Mangaluru. Dr. Kakkilaya later approached the Karnataka High Court seeking the quashing of the proceedings.

On August 31, 2021, Justice Natarajan granted an interim stay on further proceedings. The stay remained in force during the pendency of the case.

In a final order issued on June 12, 2026, a bench headed by Justice Ravi Hosmani quashed the charge sheet and the criminal proceedings against the doctor.

The petitioner argued that the alleged violation, if established, could at most attract a fine of ₹200 and did not warrant criminal prosecution. It was also contended that there was no legal basis for the case under the provisions invoked by the police.

The High Court accepted the arguments advanced by the petitioner. The court also noted that neither the original complainant nor the government had filed objections to the petition.

Dr. Kakkilaya was represented by advocates Sachin B.S. and Aniket K.V., assisted by Chidanand Kedilaya and Shivaprasad A.

The case had attracted considerable public attention when it was registered during the pandemic. Subsequently, Dr. Kakkilaya also filed separate criminal defamation cases against certain individuals and organisations over statements allegedly made against him during the controversy. Those proceedings are still pending before courts in Mangaluru.