Karnataka High Court
Sri Manjunatha G vs State Of Karnataka on 20 February, 2026
Author: Shivashankar Amarannavar
Bench: Shivashankar Amarannavar
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NC: 2026:KHC:10650
CRL.P No. 240 of 2026
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 20TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR
CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 240 OF 2026
[(438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)]
BETWEEN:
SRI MANJUNATHA G.
S/O LATE GANGADHARAIAH,
AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS,
ADVOCATE BY PROFESSION,
OFFICE AT NO.860, BSK 6TH STAGE,
11TH BLOCK, GANAKAL, 80 FT. MAIN ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 060.
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI. SRINATH A R., ADVOCATE)
AND:
STATE OF KARNATAKA
BY THALAGHATTAPURA POLICE STATION,
Digitally signed by
BENGALURU,
LAKSHMINARAYANA REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,
MURTHY RAJASHRI
Location: HIGH HIGH COURT BUILDING,
COURT OF BENGALURU - 560 001.
KARNATAKA
...RESPONDENT
(BY SMT. WAHEEDA M.M., HCGP)
THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 CR.P.C
(UNDER SECTION 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE
PETITIONER ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN CRIME NO.476/2025
REGISTERED BY THALAGHATTAPURA POLICE STATION,
BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT, FOR THE ALELGED OFFENCES
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NC: 2026:KHC:10650
CRL.P No. 240 of 2026
HC-KAR
PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 126(2), 308(2) AND 75 OF
BNS, 2023, PENDING ON THE FILE OF ADDITIONAL CHIEF
JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT,
BENGALURU.
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 accused No.1 under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagrika Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 praying to grant anticipatory bail in Crime No.476/2025 of Thalaghattapura Police Station registered for offences punishable under Sections 126(2), 308(2) and 75 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
2. Heard learned counsel for petitioner and learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent - State.
3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend that, the petitioner who has been received notice from the -3- NC: 2026:KHC:10650 CRL.P No. 240 of 2026 HC-KAR Investigating Officer has appeared in January, 2026 for investigation and cooperated for investigation. The petitioner is an Advocate having twenty three (23) years of practice. The petitioner has filed four (4) cases on behalf of the first informant in different Courts. The first informant sought safe place as she is threat of arrest and he by taking Rs.30,000/- has given shelter in his farm house. The first informant who reconcile with her husband has filed a false complaint against the petitioner of taking the property papers, gold, silver jewellery and cash. The petitioner has not taken any gold, silver jewellery or cash. The petitioner has only received fees. The CCTV footage of the office of the petitioner indicates that the first informant, her son and daughter were present on the day of incident at 2:27:54 p.m. The alleged incident has taken place around 3:00 p.m. on that day itself indicates that a false complaint has been filed. The allegation made by the first informant is barred allegation. The petitioner has undertakes to cooperate with the Investigating Officer in -4- NC: 2026:KHC:10650 CRL.P No. 240 of 2026 HC-KAR further investigation, if any and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court. The offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. With these, he prayed to allow the petition.
4. Per contra, learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent would contend that, the investigation is going on and the petitioner is required for custodial interrogation. The statement of the victim lady has been recorded under Section 183 of BNSS. The victim lady has made payment of Rs.30,000/- to the petitioner by way of UPI transfer on 22.12.2025 for stay in Honey Nest farm house. The petitioner has taken gold, silver jewellery, cash, property papers and aadhar card of the first informant. If the petitioner is granted anticipatory bail, he will hamper the investigation and tamper the prosecution witnesses. With these, she prayed for dismissal of the petition.
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5. Having heard the learned counsels appearing for parties, the Court has perused the FIR, complaint and other materials placed on record.
6. On the basis of the first information filed by the defacto complainant, a case came to be registered against the petitioner for offences punishable under Sections 75, 126(2) and 308(2) of BNS. It is alleged in the complaint that the petitioner while handling the cases of the defacto complainant has taken her property papers, gold, silver jewellery and cash and after she conciled with her husband, he has not returned them and committed offences alleged. The petitioner is an Advocate stated to have twenty three (23) years of experience. It is not in dispute that the petitioner is handling the cases of the defacto complainant in different Courts. Whether the petitioner has taken the property papers, gold, silver jewellery and cash as alleged in the complaint requires to be investigated. The petitioner is not having any criminal antecedents. The petitioner is ready to cooperate with the -6- NC: 2026:KHC:10650 CRL.P No. 240 of 2026 HC-KAR Investigating Officer in investigation and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court. The offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life.
7. Considering all the above aspects, the petitioner has made out a case for grant of anticipatory bail with conditions. In the result, the following;
ORDER The Criminal Petition is allowed. The petitioner is granted anticipatory bail in Crime No.476/2025 of Thalaghattapura Police Station and is ordered to be released on bail in the event of his arrest, subject to following conditions:
i) The petitioner shall voluntarily appear before the Investigating Officer within 10 days from this day and execute bail bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) with one surety for the like-sum to the satisfaction of the Investigating Officer.-7-
NC: 2026:KHC:10650 CRL.P No. 240 of 2026 HC-KAR
ii) The petitioner shall cooperate with the Investigating Officer in investigation.
iii) The petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer whenever called for.
iv) The petitioner shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case, so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any Police Officer or tamper with the evidence.
Sd/-
(SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR) JUDGE KLV List No.: 1 Sl No.: 43