Karnataka High Court
Dr. Somesh Solomon vs The State Of Karnataka on 26 February, 2026
Author: Shivashankar Amarannavar
Bench: Shivashankar Amarannavar
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NC: 2026:KHC:12088
CRL.P No. 214 of 2026
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 26TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR
CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 214 OF 2026
[(438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)]
BETWEEN:
DR. SOMESH SOLOMON
S/O SOLOMON E.K.,
AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS,
R/AT 13-34/2(1),
T3 SUGANDHI APARTMENT NO. 001,
NEAR PERLIYA NURSING HOME,
B MOODA VILLAGE,
JODUMARGA POST,
BANTWAL D.K - 574 219.
...PETITIONER
(BY SMT. POOJA KATTIMANI, ADVOCATE FOR
SRI. DINESHKUMAR RAO K., ADVOCATE)
AND:
Digitally signed by
LAKSHMINARAYANA THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
MURTHY RAJASHRI
BY MANGALORE WOMEN POLICE STATION,
Location: HIGH
COURT OF MANGALORE - 575 001,
KARNATAKA (REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,
HIGH COURT BUILDING,
BENGALURU - 560 0010).
...RESPONDENT
(BY SRI. HARISH GANAPATHY, HCGP)
THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 (FILED
U/S.482 BNSS) CR.P.C PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE
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NC: 2026:KHC:12088
CRL.P No. 214 of 2026
HC-KAR
PETITIONER ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HER
ARREST IN CRIME NO.84/2025 OF MANGALORE WOMEN
POLICE STATION, MANGALORE [REGISTERED FOR THE
OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 143(2), 143(4),
61(2) READ WITH SECTION 3(5) OF BNS, 2023 AND UNDER
SECTION 81 OF JUVENILE JUSTICE (CARE AND PROTECTION
OF CHILDREN) ACT, 2015] PENDING ON THE FILE OF III
JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE FIRST CLASS COURT, MANGALORE.
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.84/2025 of Mangalore Women Police Station registered for offences punishable under Sections 143(2), 143(4), 61(2) read with Section 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and under -3- NC: 2026:KHC:12088 CRL.P No. 214 of 2026 HC-KAR Section 81 of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
2. Heard learned counsel for petitioner and learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent - State.
3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend that, the mobile phone of accused No.2 has been seized earlier in Crime No.77/2025 and it contained eighty three (83) audio clips. It is alleged that the said audio clips contained conversations of this petitioner/accused No.1 with accused No.2 with regard to scanning, details of persons who are taking the child and money transactions. Based on the said audio clippings, a case has been registered against this petitioner and others. The petitioner is ready to cooperate with the Investigating Officer in investigation. The petitioner earlier had been arrested in Crime No.77/2025 and he has been granted -4- NC: 2026:KHC:12088 CRL.P No. 214 of 2026 HC-KAR bail. The petitioner is a doctor and he is having separate clinic. With these, she prayed to allow the petition.
4. Per contra, learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent would contend that, the investigation is in progress and the petitioner is required for custodial interrogation to ascertain what is his role in the children trafficking. With these, he prayed for dismissal of the petition.
5. Having heard the learned counsels appearing for parties, the Court has perused the FIR, complaint and other materials placed on record.
6. Earlier, the petitioner has been arrayed as accused No.6 in Crime No.77/2025 of Uppinangadi Police Station. In the said crime, accused No.7's mobile phone has been seized and it contains eighty three (83) audio clips. In the said audio clips, there are conversations between this petitioner and accused No.7 with regard to the scanning and details of persons who are taking the -5- NC: 2026:KHC:12088 CRL.P No. 214 of 2026 HC-KAR child, money transactions etc. The said accused No.7 in Crime No.77/2025 has been arrayed as accused No.2 in the present crime. What is the exact role of this petitioner in this case has to be ascertained in the investigation. The offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. The petitioner underwent custodial interrogation in Crime No.77/2025 and in that case now he has been granted bail. The petitioner has undertaken to cooperate with the Investigating Officer in investigation and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court.
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.84/2025 of Mangalore Women Police Station and is ordered to be -6- NC: 2026:KHC:12088 CRL.P No. 214 of 2026 HC-KAR released on bail in the event of his arrest, subject to following conditions:
i) The petitioner shall voluntarily appear before the Investigating Officer within 15 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.
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.
v) The petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer on every Sunday between 10:00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. for a -7- NC: 2026:KHC:12088 CRL.P No. 214 of 2026 HC-KAR period of one month or till the filing of the final report, whichever is earlier.
Sd/-
(SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR) JUDGE KLV List No.: 1 Sl No.: 40