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NC: 2026:KHC:5187

CRL.P No. 83 of 2026

HC-KAR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

DATED THIS THE 30^TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR

CRIMINAL PETITION No. 83 OF 2026 (439(Cr.PC) /

483(BNSS))

BETWEEN:

1. MR H V KRISHNA MURTHY

S/O MR. GEJJE KALAIAH

AGED 53 YEARS

ASST. COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

MALLESHWARAM SUB-DIVISION

BENGALURU - 560 003.

RESIDENT OF TH-09,

GODREJ GOLD COUNTY

CHIKKABIDARAKALLU, TUMKUR ROAD

BENGALURU - 560 073.

…PETITIONER

(BY SRI.SANDESH J.CHOUTA, SENIOR COUNSEL FOR

SRI.VARUN GOWDA., ADVOCATE)

Digitally signed by

LAKSHMINARA YANA AND:

MURTHY RAJASHRI

Location: HIGH

COURT OF 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA

KARNATAKA

KARNATAKA, LOKAYUKTA.

BENGALURU CITY REPRESENTED BY THE SPL.

PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,

MS BUILDING

DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI

BENGALURU – 560 001.

…RESPONDENT

(BY SRI. MANISH.R., ADVOCATE FOR

SRI. B.B.PATIL, ADVOCATE)

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CRL.P No. 83 of 2026

HC-KAR

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 Cr.PC (FILED

UNDER SECTION 483 BNNS) PRAYING TO GRANT THE

PETITIONER THE RELIEF OF BAIL IN CRIME No.64/2025

REGISTERED WITH THE LOKAYUKTA POLICE, BENGALURU FOR

AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 7(c) OF

PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT.

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 sole accused under

Section 483 of BNSS praying to grant bail in Crime

No.64/2025 of Lokayukta Police, Bangalore, registered for

offence punishable under Section 7(c) of Prevention of

Corruption Act.

2. Heard learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner

and learned counsel for respondent/Lokayukta.

3. Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner would

contend that the allegation against the petitioner is that he

demanded bribe for keeping open the business of the hotel

beyond 01.30 a.m. in the night and a trap has been laid.

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NC: 2026:KHC:5187

CRL.P No. 83 of 2026

HC-KAR

The petitioner has not received the bait amount. The bait

amount was found in the drawer. In trap cases, major

portion of the investigation will be over on the day of trap.

The petitioner is in judicial custody since last 38 days. The

offence alleged against the petitioner is not punishable

either with death or imprisonment for life. With this he

prayed to allow the petition.

4. Per contra, learned counsel for respondent would

contend that there is a clear demand and acceptance of

the bribe by the petitioner. The conversation has been

recorded by the complainant and it contains demand of

bribe by the petitioner. The investigation is in progress.

The trap was successful and Rs.30,000/- contained in a

envelope was found in the drawer of the petitioner. The

Investigating Officer has to record the statement of owner

of the hotel. If the petitioner is granted bail, he will

hamper the investigation and tamper the prosecution

witnesses. With this, he prayed to reject the petition.

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CRL.P No. 83 of 2026

HC-KAR

5. Having heard the learned counsel, the Court has

perused the FIR, complaint and other material placed on

record.

6. The complainant is the Manager of Hotel Sagar

situated at Dr.Rajkumar Road, Rajaji Nagar, Bengaluru. In

the complaint it is alleged that the said hotel was run

beyond 01.30 a.m. in the night and for that the petitioner

alleged to have demanded Rs.50,000/- and complainant

initially agreed to pay Rs.30,000/-. The complaint has

been made in that regard. The entrustment mahazar has

been prepared. The trap has been laid. During the trap,

envelope containing Rs.30,000/- was found in the drawer

of the petitioner and it has been seized. Trap mahazar has

been drawn.

7. In trap cases major portion of the investigation

will be over on the day of trap. The petitioner is in judicial

custody since 24.12.2025. As the major portion of the

investigation is over, the petitioner is not required for

further custodial interrogation. The offence alleged against

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NC: 2026:KHC:5187

CRL.P No. 83 of 2026

HC-KAR

the petitioner is not punishable

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