IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 29^TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 12996 OF 2025 [(438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)]

BETWEEN:

SRI. SRINIDHI V.R. S/O. S. RAMANNA, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, R/AT. VABASANDRA VILLAGE, JIGANI HOBLI, ANEKAL TALUK, BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT - 560 105.

…PETITIONER (BY SRI. SANDESH J. CHOUTA, SENIOR COUNSEL ALONG WITH SRI. DEPAK M., ADVOCATE)

AND:

THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY JIGANI POLICE STATION, ANEKAL TALUK.

REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, Digitally signed by HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BUILDING, LAKSHMINARA YANA MURTHY RAJASHRI BENGALURU - 560 001.

Location: HIGH …RESPONDENT COURT OF KARNATAKA (BY SMT. PUSHPALATH B., ADDITIONAL SPP FOR R1;

SRI. N. VISHWANATH, ADVOCATE FOR DEFACTO COMPLAINANT)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 OF CR.P.C (UNDER SECTION 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ALLOW THIS PETITION AND ORDER TO RELEASE OF THE PETITIONER ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN CRIME NO.128/2025 ARISING OUT OF PCR NO.345/2025 REGISTERED BY THE JIGANI POLICE STATION, FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 336(2), 336(3), 340(2), 338 AND 61 OF BNS, 2023, PENDING BEFORE THE III ADDITIONAL CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, ANEKAL.

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.128/2025 of Jigani Police Station registered for offences punishable under Sections 336(2), 336(3), 340(2), 338 and 61 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

2. Heard the learned Senior Counsel for petitioner and learned Additional State Public Prosecutor for respondent - State who is assisted by the learned counsel for defacto complainant.

3. Learned Senior Counsel for petitioner would contend that, accused Nos.2 and 3 who are similarly placed to that of the petitioner have been granted anticipatory bail by the Sessions Court. After granting interim anticipatory bail by this Court vide order dated 25.09.2025, the petitioner appeared before the Investigating Officer on 30.09.2025 and executed bond and furnished surety. The petitioner has filed a suit prior to filing of the private complaint suppressing the filing of the suit in the averments of the complaint. The relief sought in the said suit is for cancellation of Gift Deeds stated to have been created by the petitioner and other accused. The private complaint filed by the complainant has been referred to the Police for investigation and on that basis, a case has been registered against the petitioner and two other accused in Jigani Police Station in Crime No.128/2025 for the aforesaid offences. The order of reference of the private complaint to the police for investigation has been challenged by accused No.2 in the Criminal Petition and the order of reference has been stayed in the said proceedings. The offences alleged against the petitioner are of civil in nature. The petitioner is ready to cooperate with the police in investigation. The offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. With these, he prayed to allow the petition.

4. Learned Additional State Public Prosecutor for respondent - State who is assisted by the learned counsel for defacto complainant would contend that, the petitioner is having a major role in creating two Gift Deeds in collusion with accused Nos.2 and 3 in respect of property worth more than 200 crores belonging to the complainant. Prior to filing of the suit, the complainant has approached the Police and the Police did not take any action and therefore, he filed a private complaint. The presence of the petitioner is required for investigation. The petitioner has not cooperated with the police by furnishing his specimen signature which is required for investigation. The offence alleged against the petitioner is a heinous offen