IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 27^TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 13980 OF 2025 [(438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)]

BETWEEN:

SRI. SAMPATH POOJARY @ PRAVEEN SHETTY S/O NARASIMHA POOJARY, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, R/AT PATAMAKKI, SHEDIMANE POST AND VILLAGE, KUNDAPURA TALUK, UDUPI - 576 201.

…PETITIONER (BY SRI. ASHOKA T., ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY S.H.O., MANIPAL POLICE STATION, UDUPI DISTRICT.

Digitally signed by REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, PADMASHREE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, SHEKHAR DESAI BENGALURU - 560 001.

Location: High Court Of

2. MAHESH PRASAD, Karnatka POLICE INSPECTOR, MANIPAL POLICE STATION, UDUPI - 576 201.

…RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. CHANNAPPA ERAPPA, HCGP)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 OF CR.P.C (UNDER SECTION 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CRIME NO.129/2025 OF MANIPAL POLICE STATION, PENDING BEFORE II ADDITIONAL SENIOR CIVIL JUDGE AND ACJM, UDUPI ON THE FILE OF THE APPROPRIATE COURT, FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 143 OF BNS, 2023, UNDER SECTIONS 3, 4, 5 AND 6 OF I.T.P ACT, 1956.

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.1 under Section

482 of Bharatiya Nagrika Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 praying to grant anticipatory bail in Crime No.129/2025 of Manipal Police Station registered for offences punishable under Section 143 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.

2. Heard the Learned counsel for petitioner and learned High Court Government Pleader for respondents-

State.

3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend that, a case came to be registered against the petitioner only on the basis of statement of the victim. The petitioner was not present on the spot and a false case has been registered against him. The petitioner is ready to cooperate with the police in investigation. With these, he prayed to allow the petition.

4. Per contra, learned High Court Government Pleader would contend that, the victim in her statement has stated the involvement of this petitioner in commission of the offences alleged against him. The offences alleged against the petitioner are punishable with imprisonment for seven years, which may extend to imprisonment for life. Earlier, the petitioner is involved in similar cases and the petitioner is having criminal antecedents. Considering the same, the petitioner is not entitled for grant of anticipatory bail. With these, he prayed for dismissal of the petition.

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

6. The petitioner has been arrayed as accused No.1 in Crime No.129/2025 of Manipal Police Station for the aforesaid offences. The accusation against the petitioner is that, he brought the victim girl for the purpose of prostitution and he has taken her to different lodges and made her involved in prostitution. The statement of the victim has been recorded and the victim has specifically stated the acts of this petitioner. The investigation is in progress. The petitioner is involved in two other cases for offences under Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act in Crime No.34/2023 and Crime No.29/2024 of Manipal Police Station. The present case is a third case similar to the above said two cases.

7. Considering the same, the petitioner is having criminal antecedents. The presence of the petitioner is required for custodial interrogation. The petitioner has not made out any grounds for grant of discretionary relief of anticipatory bail.

8. In the result, this Criminal Petition is dismissed Sd/-

(SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR)

JUDGE KLV List No.: 1 Sl No.: 11