JUDGMENT

B.A.Patil, J. - The present petition has been filed by the petitioneraccused No.5 under Section 438 of Cr.P.C. to release him on bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No.168/2020 of Periyapatna Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 406, 408, 409 and 420 of Indian Penal Code.

2. I have heard the learned counsel Sri.Punith C. on behalf of Siddamallapa P.M. for the petitioner-accused virtually and the learned High Court Government Pleader Sri.R.D.Renukaradhya for the respondent-State.

3. The gist of the complaint is that petitioner-accused was working as a Chief Executive Officer of Taluka Panchayath and VSSN Society, Komalapura. During the course of Audit, it is noticed that there is a misappropriation in the Komalapura Gram Panchayat to the tune of Rs.1,94,72,311 under the M.G.N.R.E.G. Sponsor Scheme, and on the basis of the complaint, a case has been filed.

4. It is the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner that already this Court has released accused No.1 on anticipatory bail. On the ground of parity, the petitioner-accused No.5 is also entitled to be released on bail. It is his further submission that the petitioneraccused was working