IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 14^TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14979 OF 2025 (439(Cr.PC) /

483(BNSS))

BETWEEN:

1. SMT. SUMA M S W/O DAYANAND B AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS SECRETARY GRADE-I THOVINAKERE GRAMA PANCHAYATHI KORATAGERE TALUK, TUMAKURU DISTRICT PRESENTLY RESIDING AT CHETHANA NILAYA CITY CLUB ROAD, BHAVIKATTE LAYOUT SIRA GATE, TUMAKURU - 572 101.

…PETITIONER (BY SRI. SRINIVAS V, ADVOCATE)

AND:

Digitally signed by 1. STATE BY LAKSHMINARAYANA LOKAYUKTHA POLICE, TUMAKURU MURTHY RAJASHRI Location: HIGH REPRESENTED BY SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR COURT OF …RESPONDENT KARNATAKA (BY SRI KUMAR H D, ADVOCATE SRI VENKATESH S ARABATTI, ADVOCATE)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 Cr.PC (FILED U/S 483 BNNS) PRAYING TO ALLOW THIS PETITION AND ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN CR No.*8/2025 REGISTERED BY LOKAYUKTHA POLICE, TUMAKURU FOR AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 7(a) OF PREVENTION *Corrected vide chamber order dt:17.11.2025.

OF CORRUPTION ACT ON THE FILE OF THE VII ADDL.DIST AND SESSIONS JUDGE, TUMAKUR DIST, AT TUMAKURU.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR

ORAL ORDER

This petition is filed by accused No.2 under Section

483 of BNSS praying to grant bail in Cr.No.*8/2025 of Lokayukta Police, Tumakuru, registered for the offences punishable under Section 7(a) of Prevention of Corruption Act.

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for respondent.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that there are no records to show that this petitioner has demanded bribe from the complainant. There is no conversation of this petitioner with the complainant demanding bribe. During the trap also the petitioner was not found accepting the bribe amount from the complainant. Except the fact that the file of the *Corrected vide chamber order dt:17.11.2025.

complainant was with the petitioner at the time of trap, there are no other allegations. Petitioner has given her explanation. The documents are seized and investigation is almost over. Therefore, the petitioner is not required for custodial interrogation. The petitioner is having 13 months old kid. With these, he prayed to allow the petition.

4. Per contra, learned counsel for respondent would contend that in the averment of the complaint there is clear demand of bribe by this petitioner. Investigation is in progress. If the petitioner is granted bail, there are chances of hampering the investigation and tampering the prosecution witnesses. With these she prayed to reject the petition.

5. Having heard the learned counsels, the Court has perused the materials placed on record.

6. The complainant has applied for E-khata based on a sale deed. The complainant is stated to have been asked by the Bill Collector to pay Rs.10,800/- and it is stated to be bribe amount. The explanation of the petitioner indicates that the said amount asked to the complainant was to be paid towards legal fee and tax charges. The IO has collected all the documents. The investigation is almost over. Petitioner is in judicial custody since 16.10.2025. The petitioner is a woman and having 13 months kid.

7. Considering the above aspects, the petitioner has made out a case for grant of bail with conditions. In the result, the following:

ORDER The petition is allowed. The petitioner is granted bail in Crime No.*8/2025 of Lokayuktha Police, Tumakuru, subject to the following conditions:

(i) Petitioner shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh only) with one surety for the like-sum to the satisfaction of trial Court.

*Corrected vide chamber order dt:17.11.2025.

(ii) Petitioner shall co-operate with the IO in investigation.

(iii) Petitioner shall not tamper the prosecution witnesses either directly or indirectly.

(iv) Petitioner shall attend the trial Court on all dates of hearing unless exempted and