IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

DATED THIS THE 7^TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR

CRIMINAL PETITION No. 16159 OF 2025 (438(Cr.PC) /

482(BNSS))

BETWEEN:

1. MR SHIVA PRASAD MR

S/O RAJA KUMAR C

AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS R/ AT - RENUKA NIVAS

NEAR CHANDRA MAULESHWARA TEMPLE

1^ST BLOCK, MOTAGANAHALLI POST

SOLURU HOBLI,

MAGADI - 562 127.

…PETITIONER

(BY SRI NARAYANA SWAMY.G, ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. STATE BY

RAMANAGARA TOWN P.S.

Digitally signed by

LAKSHMINARAY ANA REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

MURTHY RAJASHRI

HIGH COURT BUILDING

Location: HIGH

COURT OF BENGALURU - 560 001.

KARNATAKA

…RESPONDENT

(BY SRI HARISH GANAPATHY, HCGP)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 CR.P.C

(UNDER SECTION 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ALLOW THE PETITION BY GRANTING ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO THE PETITIONER IN PURSUANCE OF CR.No.104/2025 REGISTERED BY RAMANAGARA TOWN P.S., FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE

UNDER SECTIONS 308(2),3(5) OF BNS.

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

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR

ORAL ORDER

1. This petition is filed by accused No. 3 under Section 482 of BNSS praying to grant anticipatory bail in Crime No. 104/ 2025 of Ramanagara Town Police Station registered for offences under Section 308(2) and 3(5) of BNS.

2. Heard learned counsel for petitioner and learned HCGP for respondent - State.

3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend that in the present crime after petitioner broadcasted in the National TV channel regarding the Crypto Currency dealings of the complainant at 06.37 p.m. on 12.10.2025, subsequently, at 09.30 p.m., on the same day, FIR has been registered. In order to take revenge against the petitioner for disclosing to the public the business of Crypto Currency by the complainant, a false complaint has been filed. Petitioner has also filed complaint to the Superintendent of Police, Ramanagara on 13.10.2025 which has been registered in Ramanagara town Police Station in Crime No. 112/2025 wherein the complainant has been shown as accused. Petitioner apprehends his arrest as he has received notice from the Police under Section 35(3) of BNSS. Petitioner is ready to co-operate with the Police in investigation and abide by any terms and conditions to be imposed by this Court. Petitioner is not having any criminal antecedents. With this, he prayed to allow the petition.

4. Per contra learned HCGP would contend that voluntary statement of accused No. 1 clearly indicate involvement of this petitioner in extortion of money from the complainant. Petitioner is required for custodial interrogation. In response to notice petitioner has not appeared before the Police for interrogation. With this, he prayed to reject the petition.

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

6. It is alleged in the complaint that accused Nos.

1, 2 and two unknown persons came to the shop of complainant on 06.10.2025. On coming to know regarding Crypto Currency (Bit Coin) open market business of the complainant, they asked him to give money and extorted Rs.4,00,000/- and subsequently on 09.10.2025 and 12.10.2025 have again demanded money by making a phone call. Name of this petitioner has not been shown in the FIR. Name of the petitioner has been shown as accused No. 3 in the remand application. It is submitted that the petitioner has broadcasted in a National TV channel regarding the Crypto Currency business of the complainant on 12.10.2025 at 06.37 p.m. Present complaint has been filed at 09.30 p.m. on 12.10.2025. Whether the petitioner is involved in commission of the offence alleged against him is a matter of investigation.

Petitioner has undertaken to cooperate with the Police in investigation and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court. There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner.

7. Considering the above aspects petitioner has made out a case for grant of anticipatory bail with co