Sudha Rakesh vs The State Of Karnataka

Sudha Rakesh vs The State Of Karnataka on 5 October, 2026 2026 INSC 1086 REPORTABLE IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA EXTRA-ORDINARY CRIMINAL JURISDICTION SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (CRL.) NO. 12638 OF 2022 SUDHA RAKESH ...PETITIONER VERSUS THE STATE OF ...RESPONDENT(S) KARNATAKA & ANR. JUDGMENT SATISH CHANDRA SHARMA, J. 1. The tendency of litigants to colourize civil disputes into criminal offences is an open secret in the present times. The courts have tried to put their foot down to prevent the litigants from obliterating the fine distinction between the two. We have done so to prevent the abuse of criminal process. The instant case presents a similar opportunity. Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by RAHUL KUMAR Date: 2026.10.05 18:15:16 IST Reason: SLP (Criminal) No. 12638 of 2022 Page 1 of 9 2. The facts lie within a narrow compass. One Ganesh was the owner of a piece of land bearing survey no. 115, admeasuring 4 acres 19 guntas, located in Channasandra Village, Karnataka. He died intestate and after demise, the said land was inherited by his wife and other legal heirs (“landowners”). The landowners entered into an agreement for sale dated 05.10.2012 purporting to sell the subject land in favour of the petitioner herein. They also executed a General Power of Attorney (“GPA”) dated 05.10.2012 in favour of the petitioner. Thereafter, the landowners, acting through their GPA holder/petitioner, entered into another agreement dated 19.11.2012 with respondent no. 2 and one Kalpana Sure (“prospective buyers”) for sale of the subject land. 3. As per this agreement, the prospective buyers were required to pay the balance sale consideration and …