Bengaluru, Sep 18 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court has dismissed all criminal charges against Priyank Kanoongo, Chief of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
Kanoongo had been accused of trespassing into an orphanage and posting a controversial comment on social media, likening the conditions there to a “Taliban-like rule.”
Justice M Nagaprasanna ruled in favour of Kanoongo, granting his petition to quash the FIR and all associated criminal proceedings initiated by Bengaluru police last November.
The case arose from a complaint by Ashraf Khan, the secretary of the orphanage. Khan alleged that Kanoongo had entered the orphanage without permission and made defamatory remarks.
The court observed that Kanoongo’s social media post did not include any reference to terrorism, which was a central point of the initial complaint.
While dismissing the charges, Justice Nagaprasanna advised public officials to exercise caution in their public statements. “Government officials should show restraint and focus on reporting facts without making broad statements on social media,” the Justice commented.
Kanoongo had visited the orphanage for an unscheduled inspection in November 2023. The orphanage authorities contended that the visit was unapproved and that Kanoongo’s comments were unfounded.
Advocate Vatsal Joshi represented Kanoongo in the case. UNI BDN SSP