Draft:Prateek Chandramouli

Prateek Chandramouli

Prateek Chandramouli is a Bangalore-based lawyer who started his career working under MLA and Senior Advocate AS Ponnanna. A 2019 graduate of School of Law, Christ University, Prateek is known for his role in a landmark POCSO settlement case between minors, in the Karnataka High Court. Following his early professional experiences, he established his own legal chambers. His legal expertise and dedication to the field have marked him as a prominent young and upcoming figure in Bangalore's legal community.

Notable Cases

1. CRIMINAL PETITION No.5952 OF 2023 C/W CRIMINAL PETITION No.5741 OF 2023 CRIMINAL PETITION No.5788 OF 2023: The Karnataka High Court dismissed criminal charges under the Wildlife Protection Act against Horticulture Minister S.S. Mallikarjun and others due to procedural irregularities. The case, initially raised by a Range Forest Officer, was later challenged for these irregularities. The court deemed the magistrate's dual cognizance and multiple criminal proceedings for the same offense as legally inappropriate. Advocate Prateek Chandramouli represented one of the involved parties in this significant legal matter.
2. Medical Re-conduction cases (WP 9985 OF 2023 (EDN-RES), 7577/2023, 8381/2023, 8655/2023, 8837/2023, 9032/2023, 9433/2023, 9577/2023, 9702/2023 & 9834/2023) - The Karnataka High Court ordered RGUHS to redo practical exams for over 70 MBBS students due to violations of Medical Council of India guidelines. The Court emphasized the need for four independent examiners to ensure unbiased evaluations. Advocate Prateek Chandramouli represented the petitioners, highlighting the case's focus on standardized and fair academic assessments in medical education. This ruling reflects the Court's dedication to maintaining fairness and objectivity in academic evaluations.
3. POCSO Settlement Case: The Karnataka High Court, presided over by Justice M Nagaprasanna, annulled a POCSO case against a minor boy, recognizing a mutual settlement between him and a minor girl he was accused of assaulting. The court noted that the POCSO Act is not intended to penalize adolescents involved in a consensual relationship. Advocates Prateek Chandramouli and Vidyashree K.S. represented the petitioner, arguing for the discontinuation of criminal proceedings given the mutual agreement and lack of prosecutorial interest. This case underscores the nuanced interpretation of the POCSO Act in cases involving adolescent relationships.
4. Bangalore DC Bail case- The Karnataka High Court dismissed a bail petition filed by former Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner IAS Officer J Manjunath, who was arrested in a bribery case by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB). Represented by Senior Advocate HS Chandramouli and Advocate Prateek Chandramouli, the Petitioner argued his innocence and being falsely implicated. However, the ACB's ongoing investigation opposed the plea. The case had earlier drawn attention when Justice Sandesh made critical remarks about the ACB's investigation methods in the case. The Supreme Court later stayed an order from the High Court related to this case.
5. Medical Exam Re-conduction case- The Karnataka High Court, led by Justice MI Arun, ordered fresh practical exams for final year MBBS students of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS). This decision came after a batch of petitions alleged non-compliance with university guidelines in the original practical exams. RGUHS agreed to re-conduct these exams within three weeks, prioritizing students' interests. Advocate Prateek Chandramouli represented the student petitioners in this case. The court's directive aimed to rectify the irregularities in the initial examination process.
6. KPL Betting case: The Karnataka High Court ruled that cricket match fixing does not constitute cheating under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, leading to the quashing of FIRs against Karnataka Premier League players. The court, presided by Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar, concluded that match fixing, while indicating dishonesty and indiscipline, does not meet the legal criteria for the offense of cheating. The decision emphasized that disciplinary action by the BCCI is more appropriate in such cases than criminal prosecution. Advocate Prateek Chandramouli was one of the advocates on record for the petitioners in this significant ruling.
7. Cancellation of KSLU examination case: The Karnataka High Court directed the Karnataka State Law University (KSLU) to comply with the 50-50 formula for assessing law students, quashing Clause 7 of the university's guidelines which failed students scoring less than 40% in the previous semester. This decision aligns with the Court's previous order in the case of Ritvik Balanagaraj B. Advocate Prateek Chandramouli, advocate on record, represented the petitioners, arguing that Clause 7 contradicted the Court's directives, impacting students unfairly. The Court's ruling ensures equitable assessment for all affected students, not just the petitioners.