Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Karnataka High Court Quashes Chargesheet Against Kodagu Homestay Owner
The Karnataka High Court dismissed criminal charges against a homestay owner in Kodagu.
The charges involved an alleged sexual assault of a United States national.
The owner was accused of not reporting the alleged assault.
He was also accused of breaking rules under the Foreigners Act.
His lawyer said the owner was not at the homestay when the alleged incident happened.
The lawyer argued that he could not have known about it or intentionally failed to report it.
Justice M Nagaprasanna agreed to cancel the chargesheet against the owner.
The court said its comments applied only to this owner and should not affect the cases involving other accused people.
The Karnataka High Court quashed the chargesheet against a Kodagu homestay owner.
The owner was accused of failing to report an alleged sexual assault involving a United States national.
He was also accused of violating provisions of the Foreigners Act.
Justice M Nagaprasanna ruled that the chargesheet was quashed insofar as it concerned the owner.
The owner’s lawyer argued that he was absent from the homestay and therefore lacked knowledge of the alleged offence.
- Who
- A Kodagu homestay owner, a 33-year-old United States national, Justice M Nagaprasanna, and advocate Angad Kamath are identified in the report.
- What
- The Karnataka High Court quashed the chargesheet against the homestay owner in relation to allegations of failing to report an alleged sexual assault and violating the Foreigners Act.
- When
- The ruling was issued on Monday; the complaint was filed in April.
- Where
- The case was heard in the Karnataka High Court and concerned a homestay in Kodagu, Karnataka.
- Why
- The owner’s lawyer argued that he was absent when the alleged offence occurred and therefore lacked knowledge of it or the ability to intentionally omit reporting it.
Homestay Owner’s Argument
Chargesheet Allegations
Knowledge and reporting
Homestay Owner’s Argument
The owner’s lawyer said he was absent from the homestay when the alleged offence occurred, so he neither knew about it nor intentionally failed to report it.
Chargesheet Allegations
The chargesheet accused the owner of failing to report the alleged sexual assault involving the United States national.
Foreigners Act violation
Homestay Owner’s Argument
The owner petitioned for the chargesheet against him to be quashed.
Chargesheet Allegations
The chargesheet also included allegations that the owner violated provisions of the Foreigners Act.
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Judge
- Justice M Nagaprasanna
- Location involved
- Kodagu, Karnataka
- Complainant
- A 33-year-old United States national
- Allegations against owner
- Failure to report an alleged sexual assault and violation of the Foreigners Act
- Court action
- Chargesheet quashed insofar as it related to the owner
- Complaint route
- The complaint was filed through the United States Embassy