IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

DATED THIS THE 8^TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR

CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 16214 OF 2025

[(438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)]

BETWEEN:

CHANDRA SHEKAR B.

S/O BOMMANNA,

AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS,

R/AT NO. 110, 2^ND CROSS, 2^ND STAGE,

BHUVANESHWARINAGAR, DODD BASTI MAIN ROAD,

BENGALURU - 560 056.

…PETITIONER

(BY SRI. SHEKARAPPA, ADVOCATE)

AND:

STATE BY KARNATAKA

JNANABHARATHI POLICE STATION,

BENGALURU,

Digitally signed by NOW REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,

LAKSHMINARAY ANA

MURTHY RAJASHRI HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU,

Location: HIGH HIGH COURT COMPLEX,

COURT OF

KARNATAKA BENGALURU - 560 001.

…RESPONDENT

(BY SRI. M.R. PATIL, HCGP)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 (FILED UNDER

SECTION 482 BNSS) CR.P.C PRAYING TO RELEASE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF ARREST AND TO DIRECT THE JNANABHARATHI POLICE TO RELEASE THE

PETITIONER IN CRIME NO.350/2025 FOR OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 303(2), 306, 318(4) AND 336 OF BNS, ON THE FILE OF THE VI ADDITIONAL CMM COURT AT BENGALURU.

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 sole accused under Section

482 of Bharatiya Nagrika Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 praying to grant anticipatory bail in Crime No.350/2025 of Jnanabharathi Police Station, registered for offences punishable under Sections 303(2), 306, 318(4) and 336 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

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

State.

3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend that, the gold bracelet of complainant has been lost in birthday party on 06.07.2024 and he filed a private complaint on 20.06.2025 and there is a delay in filing the complaint. The petitioner who possesses a gold bracelet has a purchase bill which he has sent to the complainant. But, the complainant told the petitioner that it is a duplicate bill. 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. Per contra, learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent would contend that, the petitioner is required for custodial interrogation. With these, he 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. There was a birthday party on 06.07.2024 of the complainant and in the said party, the complainant lost his gold bracelet. The said gold bracelet was found with the petitioner and when the complainant asked the petitioner about the said bracelet, the petitioner told that he purchased the same. The petitioner stated to have sent the purchase bill and the complainant has stated that it is a duplicate bill. The offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. Whether the petitioner has committed the offence alleged is a matter of investigation. The petitioner is ready to cooperate with the Investigating Officer in investigation and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court.

There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner.

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

ORDER

The Criminal Petition is allowed. The petitioner is granted anticipatory bail in Crime No.350/2025 of Jnanabharathi Police Station and is ordered to be released on bail in the event his arrest, subject to following conditions:

i) The petitioner shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) with one surety for the like-sum to the satisfaction of the Investigating Officer.

ii) The petitioner shall voluntarily appear before the Investigating Officer within 15 days from t