In Hemanth G.M. v. State of Karnataka, the Karnataka High Court refused to quash criminal proceedings against a school headmaster accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student under the POCSO Act. The petitioner sought quashing of the FIR, claiming the allegations were false, motivated by personal vendetta, and filed after an unexplained delay. Justice M. Nagaprasanna held that the allegations were serious and disclosed cognizable offences requiring a full trial. The Court emphasized that teachers and headmasters occupy positions of trust and responsibility, making allegations of sexual misconduct against them particularly grave. Observing that such accusations, if proven, would be “unpardonable,” the Court declined to exercise its inherent powers to terminate the proceedings at the threshold stage. The Court reiterated that proceedings under Section 482 CrPC cannot be used to conduct a mini-trial or assess witness credibility. Alleged defects in investigation and disputes regarding evidence can be raised before the trial court through appropriate legal remedies. The petitioner was granted liberty to seek discharge, but the criminal proceedings under the POCSO Act and BNS were allowed to continue.