Anticipatory bail can be granted if the appellant cooperates with the investigation, despite the denial by the High Court.

ORDER

Leave granted.

The appellant, V. Manoj, is aggrieved by the denial of anticipatory bail by the High Court of Karnataka at Bengaluru, vide order dated 25.07.2024 passed in Criminal Petition No. 6839/2024, in connection with Crime/First Information Report (FIR) No. 1037/2023 dated 27.12.2023 registered with Police Station – Byadarahalli, District – Bengaluru City, Karnatdaka, for the offences punishable under Sections 406 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 .

By order dated 25.11.2024, this Court directed the appellant, V. Manoj, to join and cooperate with the investigation, and subject to his doing so, he was granted interim bail in connection with the aforestated Crime/FIR, if his incarceration was not required in any other case.

Counter affidavit has now been filed by the State of Karnataka confirming that, pursuant to the later order of this Court passed on 21.01.2026, the appellant, V. Manoj, appeared before the investigating officer on 31.01.2026 and started cooperating with the investigation.

As the appellant, V. Manoj, has joined and is presently cooperating with the investigation, we find no grounds made out for custodial interrogation of the appellant, V. Manoj, at this stage. Subject to the appellant continuing to cooperate with the investigation by appearing before the investigating officer, as and when called upon to do so, he is entitled to grant of relief.

Accordingly, the appeal is allowed, setting aside the impugned judgment/order dated 25.07.2024. It is directed that in the event the appellant, V. Manoj, is arrested in relation to the FIR in question, he shall be released on bail on such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the trial Court.

The appellant, V. Manoj, shall also abide by the conditions stipulated in Section 482 (2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 .

We clarify that we have not made any observations/comments on the merits of the case and any observation made in this order is meant only for the limited purpose of grant of anticipatory bail.

Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

ORDER

Leave granted.

The appeal is allowed, setting aside the impugned judgment/order dated 25.07.2024, in terms of the signed order. It is directed that in the event the appellant, V. Manoj, is arrested in relation to Crime/First Information Report (FIR) No. 1037/2023 dated 27.12.2023 registered with Police Station – Byadarahalli, District – Bengaluru City, Karnataka, for the offences punishable under Sections 406 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 , he shall be released on bail on such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the trial Court.

Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.