Karnataka HC notice to State in contempt plea for not paying illegally arrested homestay owner ₹5 lakh

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday sought the State government's response to a contempt of court plea alleging non-compliance with a direction to pay ₹5 lakhs as compensation to a Kodagu homestay owner for illegally arresting him in a criminal case [Palecanda Ponnappa @ Vishal v. Shalini Rajnesh & others].

The homestay owner was earlier arrested on April 19, on allegations that he failed to report the rape of a US tourist who stayed at his homestay. However, in July, the High Court found that the arrest was illegally carried out and ordered the State to pay him ₹5 lakh as compensation for violating the homestay owner's fundamental rights. The Court later also quashed the criminal case against him altogether.

The homestay owner, Palecanda Ponnappa alias Vishal, has now approached the High Court with a contempt of court petition, accusing the State of failing to comply with the July order directing that he be compensated for his illegal arrest.

A Division Bench of Justice Jayant Banerji and Justice K B Geetha today notice on the plea to the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department. The Court has listed the matter next after three weeks.

Ponnappa contends by the July 15 order, a single judge Bench of the Court ordered the State to pay him compensation for the illegal arrest within four weeks from the date of receipt of the order.

A certified copy of the judgment and order was received by the State through the office of the Additional Special Public Prosecutor on July 15 itself, Ponnappa submitted. The four-week period stipulated by the Court consequently expired on August 12, 2026, he added. He also says that he issued a notice to the State authorities on July 27, calling upon them to comply with the compensation direction.

However, the amount has not been paid, and no explanation has been provided either, says Ponnappa's plea.

Advocate Angad Kamat appeared for Ponnappa.