Mangaluru/Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday heard a petition filed by Krishna J. Rao, son of BJP leader Jagannivas Rao, in connection with a case where he is accused of making a promise of marriage and allegedly making a young woman pregnant.

During the hearing, the court observed that since the child was born from the accused, it would be appropriate for him to marry the woman.

The petition was filed seeking to quash the case. The bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna, while hearing the matter, stated that it would not be right to leave the woman and the child without support. The court noted that it is the responsibility of the accused, as the father, to take care of the child.

The court also asked whether the accused was willing to provide a monthly maintenance of Rs 10,000 to the woman. The matter has been adjourned to April 24 for further hearing.

Advocate P.P. Hegde, appearing for the accused, argued that the relationship between the two was a seven-year-long affair. He further submitted that political opponents were using the case to defame the accused’s father.