IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 10^TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 224 OF 2026 (439(Cr.PC) /

483(BNSS))

BETWEEN:

MR. SHIVANNA S/O VENKATAPPA AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS POLICE SUB-INSPECTOR CHIKKAJALA P.S, BENGALURU R/A NO.300, NEAR HANUMAN TEMPLE KODAGALAHATTI, BENGALURU-562 157 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. PARAMESHWAR N. HEGDE, ADVOCATE)

AND:

THE STATE OF KARNATAKA THE KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA Digitally signed by BENGALURU URBAN DIVISION LAKSHMINARAYANA MURTHY RAJ ASHRI REP. BY ITS SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR Location: HIGH COURT OF HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA KARNATAKA BANGALORE - 01 …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. MANISH R, ADVOCATE FOR SRI. B.B. PATIL, ADVOCATE )

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 OF CR.PC (FILED UNDER SECTION 483 OF BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN CR.NO.62/2025 REGISTERED FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 7(a) OF PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT BY THE RESPONDENT i.e., KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA POLICE, BANGALORE CITY, AND PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE XXIII ADDL. CITY CIVIL AND SESSIONS JUDGE CUM SPECIAL JUDGE (P.C.ACT) BENGALURU (CCH-24).

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 sole accused under Section 483 of BNSS praying to grant bail in Crime No.62/2025 of Karnataka Lokayuktha Police Station, Bengaluru City registered for 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 trap has been laid on the petitioner on 23.12.2025 and Rs.50,000/- has been recovered from the petitioner. There was hand wash and drawing of trap mahazar. Even the sample voice of the petitioner has been collected. In trap cases, major portion of the investigation will be over on the day of trap. The petitioner is in judicial custody since 23.12.2025. As major portion of investigation is over, he is not required for further custodial interrogation. The petitioner is ready to abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court. With this, he prays to allow the petition.

4. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondent would contend that in the entrustment mahazar, there is clear mention of conversation between the petitioner and the complainant with regard to demand of bribe. The petitioner has accepted the bribe amount kept in his bike and it has been recovered from the petitioner. There is clear demand and acceptance of bribe attracting offence punishable under Section 7(a) of Prevention of Corruption Act. The investigation is in process. With this, he prays to reject the petition.

5. Having heard learned counsels, the Court has perused the FIR, complaint and other materials placed on record.

6. The petitioner was working as PSI and case has been registered against the complainant in Crime No.105/2025. The complainant was also rowdy sheeter. In order to close the case against the complainant and to remove his name from rowdy sheeter, the petitioner alleged to have demanded bribe from the complainant. A trap has been laid on 23.12.2025. Out of the bait amount, Rs.2,00,000/-, Rs.50,000/- has been recovered from the petitioner under mahazar and Rs.1,50,000/- from Police Inspector of the same police station which is stated have been given by the petitioner as hand loan to him to perform some marriage. In trap cases, major portion of the investigation is over on the day of the trap. Therefore, the petitioner is not required for further custodial interrogation. The petitioner has undertaken to cooperate with the Investigating Officer in further investigation and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court. 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