JUDGMENT

M. Nagaprasanna, J. - Petitioner who is arrayed as accused 2 is before this Court seeking an anticipatory bail in FIR No.65/2022 in CR.No.67/2022, registered by the respondent police, which is now pending on the file of the JMFC-II, Shivamogga, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 465, 468, 471 r/w. Section 34 of the IPC.

2. Heard Sri Siddanooru Vishwanatha, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri Shankar H.S., learned HCGP for the respondent - State.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that accused No.3 in the very same crime aforesaid, was before this Court in Crl.P.No.2242/2022. This Court by order dated 12.04.2022 has granted anticipatory bail to accused No.3. He would submit that the petitioner stands on the same footing as of accused No.3 and therefore, seeks an anticipatory bail.

4. On the other hand, learned High Court Government Pleader opposes to grant the bail.

5. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel for both parties and perused the material on record.

6. The reasons rendered by this Court in Crl.P.No.2242/2022, while granting anticipatory bail to accused No.3, reads as follows:

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