Archive · 9 Sep 2026
Karnataka High Court Clears Auto Driver in Quarrying Case
Sheena Poojary is an autorickshaw driver from Alur village in Karnataka.
Police accused him of helping with illegal laterite stone quarrying.
He said officers asked him to sign a paper without properly explaining it.
The paper was later treated as a confession.
Poojary said he was innocent and refused to plead guilty.
With help from lawyers and volunteers, he challenged the case in court.
On August 6, 2026, the Karnataka High Court removed him from the case.
The court noted that police had not shown evidence or explained why he was accused.
A rights group may now help him seek compensation or take further legal action against the officials.
The Karnataka High Court discharged Alur autorickshaw driver Sheena Poojary from an illegal laterite stone quarrying case.
Poojary said Gangolli police asked him to sign a document without explaining that it was being treated as a confession.
The document allegedly implicated him in joint illegal stone extraction and theft under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The court acted after police failed to provide an explanation or evidence supporting his inclusion, according to the reports.
The Human Rights Protection Foundation offered legal support for a possible civil defamation case against the police officials involved.
- Who
- Sheena Poojary, an autorickshaw driver from Alur, challenged charges brought by Gangolli police; the Karnataka High Court heard his petition.
- What
- The court discharged Poojary and struck down the criminal proceedings against him in an illegal laterite stone quarrying case.
- When
- Poojary was asked to sign the document in August 2025; one report specifies August 24, 2025. The court issued its decision on August 6, 2026.
- Where
- The alleged police interaction occurred at Gangolli Police Station, and the case was decided by the Karnataka High Court in Karnataka.
- Why
- The reports say police failed to provide evidence or explain Poojary’s inclusion as an accused, and did not respond across multiple court hearings.
- Accused
- Sheena Poojary, an autorickshaw driver from Alur village
- Case allegation
- Joint illegal extraction and theft of laterite stones
- Police station
- Gangolli Police Station
- Document at issue
- A paper allegedly presented to Poojary as a procedural formality but treated as a voluntary confession
- Relevant provision
- Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Court decision
- Poojary was discharged and the charges were struck down on August 6, 2026
- Legal assistance
- The Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi, supported Poojary’s challenge