The Karnataka High Court has quashed the FIR against Niranjana Vanalli, the former Vice-Chancellor of Bengaluru North University. The FIR was filed on a private complaint by Manjunatha R, a former guest faculty member, after his termination. The sessions court in Kolar had ordered investigation under the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), including defamation charges. Justice M. Nagaprasanna pointed out two mistakes by the sessions court. First, it did not give an opportunity for hearing to Vanalli before taking cognisance as required by law. Second, it wrongly ordered police investigation for defamation, which is typically not investigated by police as it is a matter between individuals or entities. The court stated, "If the issue is of defamation, the sessions court concerned could not have directed investigation to be conducted by the police as it is by now a settled principle of law." The High Court asked the sessions court to hear the accused and follow procedures under Section 223 of BNSS before taking action. The FIR was dismissed but the complaint can be considered again by the sessions court following correct legal steps. The original FIR was registered in June 2025, following the sessions court's direction to Gulpet police in Kolar. Manjunatha R lodged the complaint after his termination, which was recommended by the university syndicate. This order aims to ensure that proper legal procedure is followed in sensitive cases involving public officials and complex charges.