IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 26^TH DAY OF MAY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R. NATARAJ CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 5280 OF 2026 BETWEEN:

1. MANOJ KUMAR G, S/O GOPALAPPA, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, 2. PRADEEP. T, S/O THIPPESHAPPA, AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS, 3. PRAVEEN KUMAR T, S/O THIPPESWAMY, AGED ABOUT 25 YEARS ALL ARE RESIDING AT DUMMIGOLARAHATTI, HOLALKERE TALUK, CHITRADURGA - 577 531.

…PETITIONERS Digitally signed by (BY SRI. SUMANTH ULLOD, ADVOCATE)

HEMALATHA J Location:

HIGH COURT AND:

OF KARNATAKA STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY HOLALKERE P.S., REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU - 560 001.

…RESPONDENT (BY SMT.WAHEEDA M.M., HCGP)

THIS CRL.P. IS FILED U/S 438 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONERS ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN CASE OF THEIR ARREST IN CONNECTION TO CR.NO.50/2026 FOR THE OFFENCE P/U/S 189(2), 191(2), 191(3), 352, 115(2), 118(1), 74, 351(2), 190, 109(1) OF BNS 2023 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT POLICE ON THE FILE OF SENIOR CIVIL JUDGE AND J.M.F.C HOLALKERE, CHITRADURGA DISTRICT.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R. NATARAJ

ORAL ORDER

The petitioners have filed this petition under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (henceforth referred to as 'BNSS, 2023') seeking anticipatory bail in the event of their arrest in Crime No.0050/2026, registered by the respondent for the offences punishable under Sections 189(2), 191(2), 191(3), 352, 115(2), 118(1), 74, 351(2), 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (henceforth referred to as 'BNS') pending consideration before the Senior Civil Judge and JMFC Court, Holalkere, Chitradurga District.

2. (i) Briefly stated, the allegations against the petitioners that can be gathered from the information furnished by the complainant on 21.02.2026 are that there was a feud between the complainant and the petitioners over a manure pit. He alleged that the petitioners were quarreling with them over the said issue and were abusing him. He claimed that on 21.02.2026 at about 09.15 a.m., when he and his brother were standing in front of his brother's house. The petitioners along with others formed an unlawful assembly and went near them and abused them for laying a manure pit in their land. While the complainant claimed that the manure pit was laid next to the road, the petitioners abused him and assaulted him.

(ii) He also alleged that the petitioners Nos.2 and 3 assaulted him with a chopper on his head, while the petitioner No.1 assaulted him with an iron rod on his left elbow. He also claimed that when his brother intervened, he was also assaulted. Thereafter, when his father intervened, he too was assaulted while his sister-in-law was dragged around and her modesty was outraged.

(iii) He also alleged that her sister-in-law was assaulted on the left hand and right knee with an iron rod. He claimed that some villagers thereafter intervened and pacified the situation. However, the petitioners threatened to kill the complainant and his family members if they made any claim over the manure pit. The complainant therefore requested the respondent police to initiate suitable action against the petitioner.

(iv) Based on this, a case in Crime No.0050/2026, registered by the respondent for the offences punishable under Sections 189(2), 191(2), 191(3), 352, 115(2), 118(1), 74, 351(2), 190 of the BNS, 2023. The petitioners apprehending arrest filed a Crl.Misc.No.258/2026, which was rejected by the Court in terms of an order dated 17.03.2026. Therefore, the petitioners are before this Court, seeking anticipatory bail. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submit that the offences alleged against the petitioners are all false and they contend that the civil dispute between the complainant and the petitioners is given a criminal flavour. They also contend that the offences alleged are neither punishable with death or life imprisonment and that they a