IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 11^TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14483 OF 2025 (438(Cr.PC) /

482(BNSS))

BETWEEN:

SRI. PUTTABASAPPA S/O RUDRAPPA AGE ABOUT 62 YEARS R/AT MANGALA VILLAGE GUNDELPET TALUK CHAMARAJANAGARA DISTRICT-571 126 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. P. MAHESHA, ADVOCATE)

AND:

STATE OF KARNATAKA BY GUNDELPET POLICE STATION (REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR Digitally signed by LAKSHMINARAYANA MURTHY RAJA SHRI HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA Location: HIGH COURT BENGALURU-01 OF KARNATAKA …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. MOHD. AYUB ALI, ADDL. SPP)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 OF CR.P.C (UNDER SECTION 482 OF BNSS) PRAYING TO RELEASE THE PETITIONER IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CR.NO.238/2025 OF GUNDELPET P.S., CHAMARAJANAGARA DISTRICT, FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 50 AND 51 OF THE WILD LIFE PROTECTION ACT, UNDER SECTION 135 AND 138 OF THE ELECTRICITY ACT, 2003, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE PRINCIPAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS COURT, CHAMARAJANAGARA DISTRICT, CHAMARAJANAGARA.

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. 1 under Section 482 of BNSS, praying to grant anticipatory bail in Crime No. 238/2025 of Gundlupet Police Station registered for offence under Sections 50 and 51 of Wildlife Protection Act and Sections 135 and 138 of Electricity Act, 2003. 2. Heard learned counsel for petitioner and learned Additional SPP for respondent - State.

3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend that there was death of a female elephant in the land belonging to accused persons and it is stated to have died due to electric shock. The allegation against the petitioner and other accused is that they had supplied electricity to the fence and by touching the same said elephant died. Learned counsel for petitioner would further contend that land of the petitioner – accused No. 1 is at a lower level and land of accused No. 2 is at a higher level and there is fencing in between the land of petitioner and land of accused No. 2 and there are no chances of the elephant coming into the land of the petitioner. The offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. The maximum sentence that can be imposed is imprisonment which may extend to seven years and fine. Petitioner is ready to cooperate with the Investigating Officer in the investigation and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court. There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner. With this, he prayed to allow the petition.

4. Per contra learned Additional SPP would contend that electricity was supplied to the fence and by touching the same an elephant died. The matter is under investigation and petitioner is required for custodial interrogation. With this, he prayed to reject the petition.

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

6. As per averments of the complaint, a female elephant died in the land of accused persons due to electrocution. Who had supplied electricity to the fence is a matter of investigation. The offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. Maximum sentence that can be imposed is imprisonment which may extend to seven years and fine. Petitioner has undertaken to cooperate with the Investigating Officer in the 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 case for grant of anticipatory bail with conditions.

In the result, the following;

O R D E R

Petition is allowed Petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No. 238/2025 of Gundlupet Police Station subject to following