Anticipatory bail may be granted when previous complaints indicate motives rooted in personal enmity and allegations of lesser gravity.

ORAL ORDER

Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent-State.

2. The petitioner has filed this petition for grant of anticipatory bail in Cr.No.393/2025 registered by Jnanabharathi Police Station, Bengaluru for the offence punishable under Section 75 , 79, 351(2) and 352 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita , 2023.

3. The allegations that may be found in the said FIR are that the complainant was working as Guest Lecturer and accused Nos.1 to 5 were working in Rural Development Department of Bengaluru University. The complainant had alleged certain harassment by the accused, which was of sexual in nature and in that regard, the complainant had complained to various authorities. It was alleged that under political influence, the accused tried to dismiss the complainant from her guest lecturership in the University and none had assisted her. It was alleged that the petitioner herein (accused No.1) was recording a video of the complainant and the complainant had snatched the mobile phone and found that the accused was abusing the complainant in filthy and obscene words with threatening. It was contended in the complaint that if the complainant do not heed to their request, she would be removed from her job and that she should obey the say of the accused in giving him physical pleasure. The petitioner had allegedly stated that the complainant is at liberty to keep the mobile phone with her and the 'accused would see what the complainant would do'. The said complaint was registered by Jnanabharathi Police in the above crime number and the investigation was launched.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the complainant is in the habit of filing such complaints and on 10.10.2024, an earlier complaint was settled in the presence of Police of Ijoor Police Station, Ramanagar District. It is stated that the complainant is habitually filing complaints against the petitioner and others since they could not continue the complainant as guest lecturer. It is also submitted that accused Nos.2 and 3 have been granted anticipatory bail by the Sessions Court in Crl.Misc.Nos.7972/2025 and 8074/2025. Therefore, the Sessions Court should have granted the anticipatory bail to the petitioner herein also on the ground of parity. But however, it rejected the same without any reasons. He also contended that the wife of the petitioner is carrying by 08 months and his son is also suffering from ill-health and the documents produced along with the petition may be perused in this regard.

5. Per contra, learned HCGP appearing for the respondent-State would contend that the allegations made against the petitioner are serious and therefore, the Sessions Court was justified in denying anticipatory bail. It is submitted that there is no sufficient reason to grant anticipatory bail, which has to be given in exceptional circumstances and the petitioner has not shown any such circumstances in the present case.

6. A perusal of the records would reveal that the complainant had snatched the mobile phone of the petitioner, while he was recording the conversation with the complainant. The complainant also alleges that the petitioner had stated that the complainant may keep the mobile phone with her and she is at liberty to do whatever she wants. Pertinently, the complainant do not mention anywhere that such mobile phone was handed over to the petitioner. The FIR also do not mention as to whether such mobile phone was produced before the SHO at the time of filing of the complaint. The complaint (FIR) is silent as to whether the complainant had returned the mobil