'A little fast?' Karnataka HC’s quip, as it halts probe against Lamborghini driver, suggests community service

Karnataka High Court

• Karnataka High Court halts probe against Lamborghini driver after fine was paid
• Interim protection granted until plea to quash case is heard on February 6
• Driver paid Rs 8,500 fine before FIR; further investigation paused for now

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The Karnataka High Court has put on hold a criminal case against a man accused of driving a green Lamborghini loudly and allegedly recklessly on Bengaluru roads, after noting that he had already paid a penalty for the incident, much before the registration of the FIR.

The order was passed on Friday by Justice M Nagaprasanna, who granted interim protection to the petitioner until his plea seeking quashing of the case is heard on February 6. The judge directed that further investigation be stalled for now.

“The petitioner who drove a car -- Lamborghini has landed himself in soup for the reason that the vehicle was roaring beyond the permitted decibel levels...the fine is paid by the petitioner for the roar of the car. It did not stop there," the Court observed.

It further said, "the petitioner is said to have driven the vehicle in a reckless manner on 14.12.2025 and 19.12.2025, which is captured and was circulated in the social media…In the light of....the fine being taken, I deem it appropriate to stall further investigation in Crime No.14/2026, qua the petitioner, till the next date of hearing."

According to the defence, the alleged incident occurred in December 2025, while the FIR was lodged nearly six weeks later, after video clips of the car’s movement through city traffic began circulating widely online.

Advocate Rajath, appearing for the driver, told the Court that the complaint had been filed by a traffic sub-inspector based on content seen on X Corp.

“The complaint has come to be registered by a traffic sub inspector on the basis of information that he saw on X Corp. After the lapse of 1.5 months. For having driven that way, I have paid a fine of Rs 8,500,” he submitted.

He also stated that the vehicle’s retrofitted silencers had been removed in accordance with directions issued by the Road Transport Office.

The Additional Public Prosecutor, BN Jagadish, represented the State in the matter.

Court’s observations on speed, noise, and Bengaluru traffic

During the hearing, the judge engaged in a light-hearted exchange with counsel while also touching upon the realities of city traffic and the performance capabilities of high-end cars.

Advocate Rajath explained that the Maharashtra-registered Lamborghini was part of a convoy organised by a Bengaluru showroom that travelled from Mysore to Coorg.

“On December 14, a series of vehicles travelled from Mysore to Coorg on an expedition organised by the Lamborghini showroom in Bengaluru…I am one of the last vehicles in the expedition. I drive, according to the prosecution, a little fast,” he said.

“A little fast?” Justice Nagaprasanna responded. “(For a) Lambhorgini…Beginning speed is 200.”

“In Bangalore traffic, it is impossible to drive at that pace,” the lawyer replied.

When informed that the visuals suggested zig-zag movement through traffic, the judge remarked, “You zig-zagged.” The defence countered, “That is the allegation, zig zag will not amount to dangerous and reckless driving…At the most, it may about to over-speeding, for which fine is paid.”

The judge, however, pointed out, “You created noise, more (than permitted).” To this, the counsel said, “For which I paid a Rs 8,500 fine before the registration of the FIR. One and a half months before the FIR.”

The Court also commented on the broader context of traffic conditions in the city. “In, Bengaluru, it is bumper to bumper. Where will you go fast?” Justice Nagaprasanna asked. The lawyer responded, “Even in this case, it is bumper to bumper.”

The hearing also brought up the possibility of alternative punishment. After the Court noted that community service is recognised under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the judge said, “That is less. Under BNSS, we will ask you to do community service.”

“I am willing to do that, I have no problem,” Advocate Rajath said.

“You take your Lamborghini, park there, do community service and come back,” the judge quipped.

While rejecting the argument that similar cases are not prosecuted, Justice Nagaprasanna clarified, “Someone else not being booked is not a reason (to quash the criminal case).”

For now, however, the High Court has granted interim relief, pausing further proceedings against the driver until the next hearing.