IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 20^TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 240 OF 2026 [(438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)]

BETWEEN:

SRI MANJUNATHA G.

S/O LATE GANGADHARAIAH, AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS, ADVOCATE BY PROFESSION, OFFICE AT NO.860, BSK 6^TH STAGE, 11^TH BLOCK, GANAKAL, 80 FT. MAIN ROAD, BENGALURU - 560 060.

…PETITIONER (BY SRI. SRINATH A R., ADVOCATE)

AND:

STATE OF KARNATAKA BY THALAGHATTAPURA POLICE STATION, BENGALURU, Digitally signed by LAKSHMINARAYANA REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, MURTHY RAJAS HRI HIGH COURT BUILDING, Location: HIGH COURT OF BENGALURU - 560 001.

KARNATAKA …RESPONDENT (BY SMT. WAHEEDA M.M., HCGP)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 CR.P.C (UNDER SECTION 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN CRIME NO.476/2025 REGISTERED BY THALAGHATTAPURA POLICE STATION, BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT, FOR THE ALELGED OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 126(2), 308(2) AND 75 OF BNS, 2023, PENDING ON THE FILE OF ADDITIONAL CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT, 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 accused No.1 under Section

482 of Bharatiya Nagrika Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 praying to grant anticipatory bail in Crime No.476/2025 of Thalaghattapura Police Station registered for offences punishable under Sections 126(2), 308(2) and 75 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 petitioner who has been received notice from the Investigating Officer has appeared in January, 2026 for investigation and cooperated for investigation. The petitioner is an Advocate having twenty three (23) years of practice. The petitioner has filed four (4) cases on behalf of the first informant in different Courts. The first informant sought safe place as she is threat of arrest and he by taking Rs.30,000/- has given shelter in his farm house. The first informant who reconcile with her husband has filed a false complaint against the petitioner of taking the property papers, gold, silver jewellery and cash. The petitioner has not taken any gold, silver jewellery or cash. The petitioner has only received fees. The CCTV footage of the office of the petitioner indicates that the first informant, her son and daughter were present on the day place around 3:00 p.m. on that day itself indicates that a false complaint has been filed. The allegation made by the first informant is barred allegation. The petitioner has undertakes to cooperate with the Investigating Officer in further investigation, if any and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court. 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 investigation is going on and the petitioner is required for custodial interrogation. The statement of the victim lady has been recorded under Section 183 of BNSS. The victim lady has made payment of Rs.30,000/- to the petitioner by way of UPI transfer on 22.12.2025 for stay in Honey Nest farm house. The petitioner has taken gold, silver jewellery, cash, property papers and aadhar card of the first informant. If the petitioner is granted anticipatory bail, he will hamper the investigation and tamper the prosecution witnesses. With these, she 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. On the basis of the first information filed by the defacto complainant, a case came to be registered against the petitioner for offences punishable under Secti