IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 21^ST DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION No. 14058 OF 2025 (438(Cr.PC) /

482(BNSS))

BETWEEN:

1. ANJANEYAREDDY S/O. GOPAL GOWDA AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS RESIDENT OF MADDERI VILLAGE VEMGAL HOBLI KOLAR TALUK - 653 157.

…PETITIONER (BY SRI. A. S. KULKARNI, ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY STATION HOUSE OFFICER VEMGAL POLICE STATION KOLAR TALUK - 653 157.

REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR Digitally signed by HIGH COURT BUILDINGS LAKSHMINARAYANA MURTHY RAJASHRI BENGALURU - 560 001.

Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA …RESPONDENT (BY SRI MOHD. AYUB ALI, ADDL. SPP)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 Cr.PC (FILED UNDER SECTION 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO DIRECT THE POLICE TO RELEASE THE PETITIONER (NOT NAMED AS ACCUSED IN FIR) ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN VEMGAL P.S. IN CR.No.54/2025 FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 316(4),316(5),318(4),306,61(2),3(5) OF BNS 2023.

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 petitioner under Section 482 of BNSS praying to grant anticipatory bail in Crime No.54/2025 of Vemagal Police Station, registered for offences under Sections 316(4), 316(5), 318(4), 306, 61(2), 3(5) of BNS.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Addl.SPP for respondent/State.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that petitioner is not shown as accused in the FIR and complaint. Accused Nos.1 to 4 are bank employees and they substituted the fake gold ornaments in the place of real gold ornaments pledged in the bank by the customers and given it to this petitioner. The petitioner is ready to co-operate with the police in the investigation. The offence alleged against the petitioner is not punishable either with death or imprisonment. Accused No.1 has been granted regular bail and accused No.4 has been granted anticipatory bail by the Sessions Court. One Manohar, who is the friend of the accused persons has also been granted anticipatory bail. With this, he prayed to allow the petition.

4. Per contra, learned Additional SPP would contend that accused No.1 is working as a Sweeper in the bank and he in collusion with accused Nos.2 to 4 who are officials in the bank has substituted the fake gold ornaments in the place of real gold ornaments pledged by the customers and given it to this petitioner. The petitioner has pledged the said gold ornaments weighing about 660 grams worth Rs.77,00,000/- and the said loan amount has been credited to the bank account of this petitioner. The petitioner is required for custodial interrogation. As the amount involved is huge, the investigation has been transferred to CID. The petitioner, inspite of issue of notice, has not appeared before the Investigating Officer for interrogation. With this, he prayed to reject the petition.

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

6. On the complaint of Assistant General Manager, Canara Bank the case has been registered in Crime No.54/2025 for aforesaid offences in Vemagal Police Station against accused Nos.1 to 4. The allegation in the said complaint is that accused Nos. 1 to 4, in collusion with each other, have substituted the fake gold ornaments in place of real gold ornaments pledged by the customers. Accused No.1 has been arrested and his voluntary statement has been recorded. Accused No.1 has stated that the gold ornaments taken by him have been given to this petitioner. This petitioner is stated to have pledged the said golden ornaments given by accused No.1 in different financial institutions. The said golden ornaments are weighing about 660 grams worth Rs.77,00,000/-. The said golden ornaments have to be recovered and therefore, the petitioner is required for custodial interrogation. As the mo