IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 17^TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 13688 OF 2025 [(438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)]

BETWEEN: 1. MOHAN S/O. TRIPURANTHAPPA, AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS, R/AT: DESHAVALLI, HEGGAVADI VILLAGE, CHAMARAJANAGARA - 571 316.

2. MAHADEVAPRASAD H.C.

S/O. H.P. PUTTANNA, AGED ABOUT 24 YEARS, R/AT: DESHAVALLI, HEGGAVADI VILLAGE, CHAMARAJANAGARA - 571 316.

…PETITIONERS Digitally signed by LAKSHMINARA YANA (BY SRI. ANIL KUMAR A.S., ADVOCATE FOR MURTHY RAJASHRI SRI. PARAMESWARAPPA C., ADVOCATE)

Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AND:

1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY CHAMARAJANAGAR RURAL POLICE STATION, CHAMARAJNAGAR - 571 313.

REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU - 560 001.

…RESPONDENT (BY SMT. RASHMI PATEL, HCGP)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 CR.PC (FILED UNDER SECTION 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO GRANT ANTICIPATORY BAIL DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT POLICE TO RELEASED THEM ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF THEIR ARREST IN CONNECTION WITH THE CRIME NO.162/2025 OF THE CHAMARAJANAGAR RURAL POLICE STATION, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE COURT OF PRINCIPAL CIVIL JUDGE (JUNIOR DIVISION) AND JMFC COURT AT CHAMARAJANAGARA, FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 108 OF BNS, 2023.

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 Nos.1 and 3 under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagrika Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 praying to grant anticipatory bail in Crime No.162/2025 of Chamarajanagar Rural Police Station, registered for offence punishable under Section 108 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

2. Heard learned counsel for petitioners and learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent -

State.

3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend that, accused Nos.2 and 5, similarly placed to that of these petitioners have been granted anticipatory bail by this Court by order dated 23.10.2025 passed in Criminal Petition No.12797/2025. Therefore, the petitioners are also entitled for grant of anticipatory bail on the ground of parity. The allegations against all the petitioners is that, they borrowed money from the deceased and they did not repay the same and due to that, the deceased committed suicide. The petitioners are ready to cooperate with the police in investigation and abide by any terms and conditions to be imposed by this Court. With these, he prayed to allow the petition.

4. Per contra, learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent would contend that, in the complaint, the specific allegation is made against the petitioners for borrowing money and harassing the deceased by not paying the amount borrowed and abusing her. The investigation is in progress. With these, she prayed for dismissal of the petition.

5. Having heard the learned counsels appearing for parties, the Court has perused the FIR, complaint and other materials placed on record.

6. The allegation in the complaint against these petitioners is that, they had borrowed money from the deceased Meenamma and they were harassing her by not repaying the amount and they were threatening her. Due to this, the deceased is said to have committed suicide. Whether the act of these petitioners amounts to abetment to commit to suicide or not is a matter of investigation and trial. The petitioners are ready to cooperate with the Police in the investigation and abide by any terms and conditions to be imposed by this Court.

7. Considering all the above aspects, the petitioners have made out a case for grant of anticipatory bail with conditions. In the result, the following;

ORDER

The Criminal Petition is allowed. The petitioners/accused Nos.1 and 3 are granted anticipatory bail in Crime No.162/2025 of Chamarajanagar Rural Police Station and are ordered to be released on bail in the event their arrest, subject to following conditions:

i) The petitioners shall execute a personal b