The Karnataka High Court has refused to remove a culpable-homicide charge against a father accused of repeatedly allowing his 14-year-old son to drive a car involved in a collision that killed three people.
Judge / Bench — Justice M. Nagaprasanna.
Rejecting Nadeem Ur Rehman’s petition on 16 October 2026, the court said fatal consequences alone cannot convert negligence into culpable homicide. But the charge-sheet alleged a positive act of handing over the keys and repeated permission to drive. Those allegations could not be discarded by accepting his defence that the child took the vehicle without consent.
The prosecution must prove the knowledge required by Section 304 Part II IPC. The trial court must determine culpability independently, uninfluenced by the High Court’s observations at the discharge stage.
Advocates appearing — Petitioner — Pallava R. Respondent 1 — B.N. Jagadeesha, State Public Prosecutor-I, with Rashmi Patel, High Court Government Pleader. Respondent 2 — Not named in the order.