IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 22^ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION No. 16568 OF 2025 (438(Cr.PC) /

482(BNSS))

BETWEEN:

1. SMT SHILPA. M.

AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS W/O SOMANNA ASSISTANT ENGINEER OFFICE AT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER RAJARAJESHWARI NAGAR ZONAL OFFICE, BBMP RAJARAJESHWARI NAGAR BENGALURU – 560 098.

UIDAI No. 560161425387 PERMANENT ADDRESS:

No.341, HOSAHALLI MANDYA, HOSAHALLI KARNATAKA – 571 417.

…PETITIONER Digitally signed by LAKSHMINARAY ANA MURTHY RAJASHRI (BY SRI ROHIT K, ADVOCATE)

Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AND:

1. STATE REPRESENTED BY THE KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA BENGALURU URBAN DIVISION BENGALURU REPRESENTED BY THE SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR BANGALORE - 560 001.

…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 GRANT ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO THE PETITIONER / 4^TH ACCUSED IN CR.No.55/2025 PENDING BEFORE THE XXIII ADDL.CITY CIVIL AND SESSIONS JUDGE AND SPL.JUDGE (P.C.ACT) BENGALURU REGISTERED BY KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA, BENGALURU URBAN DIVISION FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 13(1)(a) R/W 13(2) OF THE P.C ACT AND SEC.120B,409,419,420,417 OF IPC.

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 -accused No.4 under Section 482 of BNSS praying to grant anticipatory bail in Crime No.55/2025 of Karnataka Lokayukta Police Station Bangalore registered for offences punishable under Sections 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 120B, 409, 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 complaint has been made on 02.09.2020 and the file has been registered on 06.11.2025 and there is huge delay of more than 05 years in registering the case. The petitioner is working as Assistant Engineer in BBMP. There is no role of this petitioner in carrying out the work and misappropriation. The petitioner is woman and she undertakes to appear before the Investigating Officer whenever called and co-operate with the investigation. The allegations in the complaint are general in nature. The offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. With this, he prays to allow for petition.

4. Learned counsel for the respondent would contend that earlier complaint was made to ACB and subsequently after ACB was abolished documents were transferred to the Lokayuktha. Now, the case has been registered by the Lokayuktha, which caused delay in registering the case. There was raid on the premises of the petitioner and documents were collected. The alleged incidents have been done during pandemic and amount involved is Rs.250.00crores. The petitioner is required for custodial interrogation. With this, he prayed to reject the petition. 5. Having heard learned counsels, the Court has perused the FIR, complaint and other materials placed on 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 and in the order dated 09.01.2026 while allowing the said petition observed as under :

“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 regard