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NC: 2026:KHC:24420

CRL.P No. 2785 of 2026

HC-KAR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

DATED THIS THE 30^TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL

CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 2785 OF 2026 (438(Cr.PC)

/ 482(BNSS))

BETWEEN:

1. LAKSHMIKANTH K.R.

SON OF RANGANATHAGOWDA T,

AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS

R/AT SEEBI AGRAHARA POST,

KALLAMBELLA HOBLI, SIRA TALUK,

NAGENAHALLI,

TUMAKURU 572125

…PETITIONER

(BY SRI. NAGABHUSHANA REDDY K.,ADVOCATE)

AND:

Digitally

signed by 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA

SUMA B N

BY LOKAYUKTHA POLICE,

Location:

HIGH COU RT

TUMAKURU CITY

OF

KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY S.P.P

HIGH COURT BUILDING

BANGALORE-01.

…RESPONDENT

(BY SRI.B B PATIL, SPL. COUNSEL)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECDTION 438 CR.PC

(FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENT

POLICE TO RELEASE THE ABOVE PETITIONER ON

ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN

CR.NO.5/2025 OF LOKAHUKTHA POLICE TUMAKURU FOR AN

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CRL.P No. 2785 of 2026

HC-KAR

ALLEGED OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 7(a) OF

PREVENTION OF CORRUPCTION ACT, 1988 (AMENDED IN

2018) AND PENDING ON THE FILE OF VII ADDL.DISTRICT AND

SESSIONS JUDGE AND SPECIAL JUDGE AT TUMAKURU.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY,

ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL

ORAL ORDER

This petition is by petitioner herein before this Court

seeking anticipatory bail in Crime No.5/2025 registered

before the Lokayukta Police, Tumkuru, for the offence

alleged under Section 7(a) of Prevention of Corruption Act,

1988, pending on the file of the learned VII Additional

District and Sessions Judge and Special Judge, Tumkuru.

2. A complaint dated 21.07.2025 has been

registered by one Sri. Raveesh Y T, the president of

Vyavasaya Mattu Taluk Meenugarara Sahakara Sangha,

alleging demand of bribe amount by the Assistant

Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Madhugiri and another

one Sri.Raghavendra, F.D.A., of the Cooperative Society

Department, Madhugiri. It appears during the

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CRL.P No. 2785 of 2026

HC-KAR

investigation, the said accused persons have given

statement recorded under Section 164 revealing certain

facts which constrained the Investigating Officer to issue

notice under Section 35(3) of BNSS, 2023 to the petitioner

herein who is the Manager of DCC Bank, in which the said

Society is maintaining its Bank account.

3. Apprehending imminent arrest at the hands of

the Investigating Officer, the present petition.

4. The contents of the complaint indicate that

there are no specific allegations of any nature against the

present petitioner. However, it appears that on the basis

of the voluntary statement recorded by the Investigating

Officer, the name of the petitioner has been incorporated

in the FIR as accused No.4.

5. Sri. B.B. Patil, learned counsel for the

respondent/Lokayukta files objections and seriously

opposing grant of anticipatory bail, refers to statement of

accused No.3 recorded during the investigation wherein

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CRL.P No. 2785 of 2026

HC-KAR

accused No.3 purportedly stated that a document was

created in connivance with the petitioner herein to indicate

pre-dated de-freezing of the account of the aforesaid

society of which the complainant is the President. He

submits that if the petitioner is granted bail, there is every

likelihood of he creating false records causing impediment

in the process of the investigation. That apart, since

serious allegations of creation of documents are being

made, petitioner is required for the custodial interrogation.

Hence, he seeks for rejection of the petition.

6. Heard. Perused the records.

7. From the narration of facts above, it is clear

that the complaint was initially filed against one Sannappa,

ARCS, Madhugiri and Raghavendra, FDA of Co-operative

Society Department, Madhugiri, alleging that the said

persons, who had earlier frozen the account of the society,

had sought for payment of bribe to de-freeze the same.

The account of the society is stated to be maintained in

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