IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 25^TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION No. 15056 OF 2025 (439(Cr.PC) /

483(BNSS))

BETWEEN:

1. SRI MARUTHI N SON OF LATE NAGARJAU AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS BILL COLLECTOR TOVINAKERE GRAMA PANCHAYATH KORATAGERE TALUK C N DURGA HOBLI, TUMAKURU DISTRICT- 572 129.

RESIDING AT : TOVINAKERE VILLAGE, KORATAGERE TALUK C N DURGA HOBLI TUMAKURU TALUK – 572 129 …PETITIONER Digitally signed by (BY SRI ABHAY RAJIV SHIVAM, ADVOCATE)

LAKSHMINARAYANA MURTHY RAJA SHRI Location: HIGH AND:

COURT OF KARNATAKA

1. STATE BY LOKAYUKTHA POLICE TUMAKLURU REP BY SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTHA M S BUILDING, DR AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BENGALURU-560 001.

…RESPONDENT (BY SRI KUMAR H D, ADVOCATE FOR SRI VENKATESH S ARABHATTI, ADVOCATE)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 Cr.PC (FILED U/S 483 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON REGULAR BAIL IN CR.No.08/2025 REGISTERED BY THE RESPONDENT POLICE FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 7(a) OF THE PC ACT, 1988 (AS AMENDED IN 2018).

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 the petitioner -accused No.1 under Section 483 of BNSS praying to grant bail in Crime No.8/2025 of Lokayuktha Police Station, Tumkur registered for the offence punishable under Section 7(a) of Prevention of Corruption Act.

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

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that the petitioner was working as bill collector and he had no role in processing the e-katha of the complainant. The trap is already laid and in trap cases, after trap the major portion of the investigation is over.

The petitioner is in custody since 16.10.2025 and therefore, he is not required for further custodial interrogation. The offence alleged against the petitioner is not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life.

With this he prays to allow the petition.

4. Per contra learned counsel for the respondent would contend that in the averment of the complaint there is clear demand of bribe by this petitioner. The investigation is in progress. The petitioner during the trap found having received Rs.8,000/- from the complainant and it has been observed by the shadow punch. If the petitioner is granted bail there are chances of hampering the investigation and tampering prosecution witnesses.

With these, he prayed to reject the petition.

5. Having learned counsels, this Court has perused the charge sheet and other materials placed on record.

6. The complainant has applied for e-katha based on sale deed. The complainant is stated to have been asked by the petitioner -bill collector to pay Rs.10,800/-

and it is stated to be bribe amount. The trap is already laid and the trap mahazar has already been drawn. In the trap cases, on laying of the trap, the major portion of the investigation will be completed. The petitioner is in judicial custody since 16.10.2025 and as major portion of the investigation is over, the petitioner is not required for further custodial interrogation. Accused Nos. 2 -the Secretary on whose behalf this petitioner is stated to have demanded bribe has already been granted bail by this court in Criminal No.14979/2025 by order dated 14.11.2025. Considering the above aspects, the petitioner has made out case for grant of bail with conditions.

7. In the result, the following ORDER i) The petition is allowed.

ii) The petitioner is granted bail in Crime No.8/2025 of Lokayuktha Police Station Tumkuru subject to following conditions:

a) The petitioner –accused No.1 shall execute a personal bond for sum of Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety for the like sum to the satisfaction of the trial Court.

b) The petitioner –accused No.1 shall co-operate with the Investigating Officer in investigation.

c) The petitioner –accused No.1 shall not ta