IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 19^TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION No. 1148 OF 2026 (438(Cr.PC) /

482(BNSS))

BETWEEN:

1. SRI. N G UMESH S/O GANGAIAH AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS R/A No. 58, GOVERNMENT COLLEGE ROAD NELAMANGALA TOWN, BANGALORE RURAL DISTRICT – 562 123.

…PETITIONER (BY SMT. A SAHANA GOPAL, ADVOCATE FOR SRI GOPAL, ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. STATE OF KARNATAKA Digitally signed by THROUGH KARNATAKA LAKSHMINARAYANA MURTHY RAJAS HRI LOKAYUKTA POLICE STATION.

Location: HIGH M.S. BUILDING COURT OF KARNATAKA AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BANGALORE - 560 001.

REPRESENTED BY SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR.

…RESPONDENT (BY SRI MANISH R, ADVOCATE FOR SRI B B PATIL, ADVOCATE)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 Cr.PC (FILED UNDER SECTION 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENT POLICE TO RELEASE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CR.No.55/2025 REGISTERED BY THE LOKAYUKTA POLICE STATION, BANGALORE AGAINST THE PETITIONER/ACCUSED No. 9 BEFORE THE LEARNED XXIII ADDL. CITY CIVIL AND SESSIONS JUDGE (CCH-24) AT BANGALORE IN CRL. MISC. No.51/2026 FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 13(1)(A) R/W 13(2) OF PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT, 1988 (AMENDED ACT, 2018) AND SEC. 120B R/W 409, 419, 420 AND 417 OF INDIAN PENAL CODE.

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.9 under Section

482 of BNSS praying to grant anticipatory bail in Crime No.55/2025 of Karnataka Lokayuktha Police Station, Bengaluru registered for offences punishable under Sections 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Sections 120B, 419, 420 and

417 of IPC.

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the respondent.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that the petitioner was working as an Assistant Executive Engineer in BBMP. There is no role of this petitioner in carrying out the work and misappropriation. The petitioner is ready to cooperate with the Investigating Officer in the investigation. The offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. Accused Nos.1 to 4, 7 and 8 have been granted bail by this Court and therefore, the petitioner is entitled for grant of anticipatory bail on the ground of parity. With this, she prayed to allow the petition.

4. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondent would contend that the petitioner is having role in misappropriation alleged in the complaint. The petitioner was working as Assistant Executive Engineer and work orders were issued during his tenure. The petitioner is required for custodial interrogation. With this, he prays to reject the petition.

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

6. This Court has considered the anticipatory bail petition of accused Nos.1 to 3, 7 and 8 in Criminal Petition No.16413/2025 in the order dated 09.01.2026 while allowing the said petition has observed as under:

“6. Complaint is dated 02.09.2020 and it is made by Member of Parliament to ACB. FIR has been registered on 06.11.2025 by Karnataka Lokayukta, Bengaluru. It is contended by learned counsel for respondent that ACB was abolished and documents were transferred to the Lokayukta and therefore there is delay in registering the case. A perusal of page 3 of the complaint indicates that there is a mention that information was given to Lokayukta institution also in regard to the allegations made in the complaint. Considering the said aspect, it is clear that even the Lokayukta had information regarding the corruption made by the accused persons even prior to or on the date of complaint dated 02.09.2020. Even though names of petitioners are mentioned in the complaint, there is no specific allegation against them. The premises of the petitioners have b