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. 17028 OF 2025 (438(Cr.PC) /

482(BNSS))

BETWEEN:

1. MR. MAHIPAL SINGH BOCHALYO S/O SAGARMAL VIKRAM SINGH AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS No.2614, 27^TH MAIN, HSR LAYOUT BENGALURU CITY-560 102.

…PETITIONER (BY SRI RAKSHITH R, ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE HSR LAYOUT POLICE STATION HSR LAYOUT Digitally signed by BENGALURU-560102.

LAKSHMINARAYANA MURTHY RAJAS HRI REPRESENTED BY Location: HIGH STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR COURT OF KARNATAKA HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA.

2. STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY POLICE INSPECTOR, CEN CRIME POLICE STATION SOUTH EAST DIVISION BANGALORE CITY-560 102.

…RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. WAHEEDA M M, HCGP FOR R1 AND R2)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 Cr.P.C. (FILED UNDER SECTION 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO GRANT ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO RELEASE THE PETITIONER IN THE EVENT OF ARREST IN CR.No.384/2025 FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 66C, 66D, 84B OF THE I.T ACT AND SECTION 318(4),319,61(2) R/W 3(5) OF BNS 2023 ON THE COURT OF THE 39^TH A.C.J.M AT BENGALURU.

THIS PETITION COMING ON FOR FURTHER HEARING 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. 19 under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. Praying to grant anticipatory bail in crime No. 384/2025 of HSR Layout Police Station registered for offence under Sections 66-C, 66-D, 84-B of Information Technology Act, 2000 and Sections 318(4), 319, 111(2), 114(2), 61(2) read with Section 3(5) of BNS.

2. Heard learned counsel for petitioner and learned HCGP for respondent – State.

3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend that petitioner and accused No. 18 started the Company. Subsequently, accused No. 18 resigned from the directorship and accused No. 20 joined as the Director.

After accused No. 20 joined as the Director, he purchased shares of this petitioner and also of accused No. 18 and now accused No. 20 is having 80% of the shares and the petitioner is having 20% of shares. As major shares are with accused No. 20, he will be incharge of affairs of the Company. Accused No. 20 who has been added as Director of the Company has been granted anticipatory bail by this Court. There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner. The offence alleged against the petitioner is provided with punishment of imprisonment which may extend to 7 years. The victims are not traced. There is no money transfer. Bank account of accused No. 18 has been secured. Statement of C.W.28 and another has already been recorded. Accused No. 2 has recruited the employees and accused No. 2 is stated to be Office Boy. Rental agreement has been signed by accused No. 20 and that itself indicates that he is incharge of the business of the Company. There is no abnormal transfer. Petitioner is ready to cooperate with the Investigating Officer in the enquiry and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court. With this he prayed to allow the petition.

4. Per contra, learned HCGP would contend that the petitioner is one among the two Directors. Petitioner was the Director as on the date of alleged offence. Petitioner and other accused created fake KYC at the time of opening the Company. Huge amount is involved and victims are in the US and Canada and they have to be identified. Laptop etc., have been seized and sent to FSL. Insptie of notice petitioner has not appeared before the Investigating Officer for investigation. Petitioner is a resident of Rajasthan and Police went to Rajasthan, but, petitioner could not be secured. Petitioner and other accused have used many bank accounts and they have opened lot of call centers, details of which are required to investigated. Rent amount has been paid by using different accounts. I-cloud details have to be obtained from the petitioner as he is one of the Directors.

Therefore, petitioner is requ