Karnataka High Court

Sri Kiran R vs The State Of Karnataka on 13 November, 2025

                           -1-
                                    CRL.A No. 2046 of 2025


     IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
      DATED THIS THE 13TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025
                         BEFORE
         THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G BASAVARAJA
           CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.2046 OF 2025

BETWEEN:

SRI KIRAN R
S/O RAMAIAH.
AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS,
RESIDING AT
KANASAWADI VILLAGE,
MADURE HOBLI,
DODDABALLAPUR TALUK-561203
BANGALORE RURAL DIST.
NOW IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY)
                                              ...APPELLANT
(BY SRI. SUBRAMANYA H.V., ADV.)


AND:

1.    THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
      BY BANGALORE DISTRICT
      WOMEN POLICE STATION,
      REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,
      HIGH COURT COMPLEX,
      BANGALORE-01.

2.    MISS. RADHIKA. M
      D/O. LATE. M. MUNIRAJU
      AGED ABOUT 23 YEARS,
      RESIDING AT ISTURE VILLAGE,
      MADURE HOBLI,
      DODDABALLAPUR TALUK-561203
      BANGALORE RURAL DIST.
                                           ...RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. RANGASWAMY R., HCGP FOR R1,
 SRI. S. LAKSHMISHAIAH, ADV. FOR R2.)
                                      -2-
                                                 CRL.A No. 2046 of 2025


      THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL IS FILED U/S 14(A)(2) OF SC/ST
(POA) ACT PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE IMPUGNED ORDER
DTD 03.10.2025 PASSED IN CRL.MISC.NO.1764/2025 ON THE
FILE OF II ADDL. DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE,
BANGALORE RURAL DISTRICT, BANGALORE AND THEREBY
ALLOWED THE PETITION AND RELEASE THE APPELLANT ON
BAIL IN CR.NO.199/2025 OF BANGALORE DISTRICT WOMEN
P.S., FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 64,69,71,351(2),352 OF BNS,
2023,     U/S     67(A)    OF    I.T   ACT,   2008,   U/S
3(1)(r)(s),3(1)(w),3(2)(v) OF SC/ST (POA) AMENDMENT ACT,
2015, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE II ADDL. DISTRICT AND
SESSIONS JUDGE, BANGALORE RURAL DISTRICT, BANGALORE.

     THIS APPEAL HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED FOR
JUDGMENT    ON   06.11.2025  AND  COMING   ON   FOR
"PRONOUNCEMENT OF ORDERS" THIS DAY, THE COURT,
DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

CORAM:       HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G BASAVARAJA

                           CAV JUDGMENT

Appellant has preferred this appeal against the order

dated 03rd October 2025, posted in Criminal Misc. No.1764 of

2025 by the II Additional District and Sessions Judge,

Bengaluru Rural District, Bangalore (for short "the trial Court").

2. Brief facts leading to this appeal are that on the

basis of complaint filed by one Radhika M, women Police

Station, Doddaballapura Sub-Division have registered Case

against the appellant in Crime No.199 of 2025 for the offence

punishable under Sections 64, 69, 71, 351(2) and 352 of BNSS,

2023, Section 67(A) of Information Technology Act, 2008 and

sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(1)(w) and Section 3(2)(v) of the

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of

Atrocities) Act, 2015. After arrest of the accused, he has filed

application and section 483 of BNSS, 2023 seeking bail. The

same came to be rejected. Being aggrieved by the rejection of

bail application, the appellant has preferred this appeal.

3. The learned Counsel for the appellant would submit

that appellant is innocent of alleged allegations made against

him, and he has nothing to do with the alleged crime. There is

no sexual assault against the complainant as alleged.

Admittedly, the applicant and complainant are working at RNS

Car showroom at Nelamangala for the past two years and they

are good friends. Except the affairs in respect of car

showroom, there is no physical relationship between them as

alleged. Recently during August 2025, there was a rift between

the complainant and the accused in respect of personal issues.

In this regard, the complainant, her sister and her brother-in-

law made an attempt to blackmail the accused with an

intention to extract money. When the appellant has not yielded

to their attempt, a false complaint came to be filed by the

complainant, that too as an afterthought, only to implicate this

appellant in a false case. After lapse of two years from the

date of incident, the complainant has lodged complaint on 04th

September 2025. There is no explanation offered by the

complainant for the delay in filing the complaint. The police

have arrested the complaint on 04th September, 2025 and

produced him before the court on 05th September, 2025 and he

was remanded to judicial custody stating that the appellant

may not be required for further investigation. However, the

police have seized car bearing number KA-04/M-0340 and have

also seized the mobile phone of the accused. There are no

incriminating materials collected by the investigating officer

after the apprehension of the appellant to corroborate the

theory of the complainant. Absolutely, there are no materials

to attract the offences under the provisions of SC/ST (PoA) Act.

On all these grounds it is sought to allow the appeal. To

substantiate his arguments, the learned Counsel for the

Appellant has relied on the following judgments of this court:

1. In the Case of Mr. SAMPRAS, ANTHONY v. STATE OF KARNATAKA rendered in Writ Petition No.31144 of 2024, decided on 25th October 2025;

2. In the case of NITIN v. STATE OF KARNATAKA AND ANOTHER rendered in Criminal Petition No.9734 of 2024, decided on 16th October 2024.

4. Respondent No.2 has filed written objection.

5. I have examined the materials placed before this

court. On the basis of the complaint filed by Radhika M,

Women Police Station, Doddaballapura Sub-Division registered

case against the appellant in Crime No.199 of 2025 for offence

punishable under Sections 64, 69, 71, 351(2) and 352 of BNSS,

2023, Section 67(A) of Information Technology Act, 2008 and

sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(1)(w) and Section 3(2)(v) of the

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of

Atrocities) Act, 2015.

6. In the complaint, it is alleged as under:

"¢£ÁAPÀ 04.09.2025 ರಂದು ಾ 09:30 ಗಂ ೆ ೆ ಾ ಾ ಎಂ. ಎಂ. ಮು ಾಜು, 23 ವಷ , ಆ ಕ ಾ ಟಕ ಜ ಾಂಗ, E¸ÀÆÛgÀÄ ±Áåಕಲ ೇವನಪ"ರ ಅಂ$ೆ, ೊಡ'ಬ)ಾ*ಪ"ರ +ಾಲೂಕು ರವರು ,ಾ-ೆ ೆ .ಾಜ ಾ/ ೕ0ದ ದೂ1ನ 2ಾ ಾಂಶ4ೆ ೆಂದ ೆ, ೆಲಮಂಗಲ ಆ5.ಎ ಾ5 6ೆ7ೕ ರೂಂ £À°è- 2 ವಷ ಗ8ಂದ ಅಂದ ೇ: 2023 2ಾ9 ಂದ ಕಸ;ಮ5 ೇ5 <=ಾಗದ°è ೆಲಸ ವ >ಸು ?ದು@, ಇ ೇ ಶ7ಂ ರೂಂ £À°è BರC ಾಮಯE ಗಳ ಜ ಾಂಗ, ಕನಸ4ಾ0 ಾ ಮ ರವರು 2ೇGH <=ಾಗದ9I ೆಲಸ Jಾಡು ?ದು@, ನKLಬM1ಗೂ ಪ1ಚಯ<ದು@, ಪ ನ OPೈG ನ9I 6362988923 Rೕ2ೆS, ಕ ೆ .ಾಗೂ ಇ Tತರ Pೇ ೆ Vೕ ನಂಬರಗಳ ªÁåmïì ಆW <0Xೕ Jಾಡು ?ದನ @ ು ಸ1ಯYೆ; ನನ ೆ ಇಷ;<ಲI ದ@ರೂ BರC ಎಂಬುವವನು ಒಂದು ನ ೆಲಸ ಮು/[ ೊಂಡು ಅವರ ಾ1ನ°è 4ಾಹನ ಸಂ]ೆE ೆ.ಎ 01 ಎಂ 0340 ರ°è ಾನು ಬರುವ" ಲI JAzÀgÀÆ ಜೂ 2023 2 ೇ 4ಾರದ°è, ಬಲವಂತ4ಾ/ ನನTನುT ಕೂ1[ ೊಂಡು ೊ ®èಹ8* ಕ ೆಯ DAd£ÉÃAiÀÄ ¸Áé«Ä zÉÃªÀ¸ÁÜ£ÀzÀ ºÀwÛgÀ ¸ÀAeÉ ¸ÀÄªÀiÁgÀÄ 07:00 jAzÀ 07:30 ªÀgÉUÉ ¤dð£À ¥ÀæzÉÃ±ÀPÉÌ £À£Àß£ÀÄß PÀgÉzÀÄPÉÆAqÀÄ §AzÀÄ £À£ÉÆßA¢UÉ §®ªÀAvÀªÁV zÉÊ»PÀªÁV ªÉÆzÀ®£ÉÃ ¨Áj §¼À¹PÉÆArgÀÄvÉÛÃ£É. £ÀAvÀgÀ ¢£ÁAPÀ:16.07.2023 gÀAzÀÄ ªÀÄvÉÛ £À£Àß£ÀÄß Dgï.J£ï.J¸ï ±ÉÆÃ gÀÆA £À°è ¨sÁ£ÀÄªÁgÀzÀAzÀÄ PÉ®¸À ªÀiÁqÀÄwÛzÁÝUÀ PÁgï ¸À«ð¸ï ªÀiÁr¸ÀÄªÀÅzÁV §AzÀÄ ¸ÀGªÀiÁgÀÄ 02:00 PM ¸ÀªÀÄAiÀÄzÀ°è 1£ÉÃ ¥sÉÆèÃgï UÉ §AzÀÄ ¹.¹.

PÁåªÀÄgÁ E®èzÀ PÀqÉ gÀÆ«ÄUÉ PÀgÉzÀÄPÉÆAqÀÄ ºÉÆÃV C®Æè zÉÊ»PÀªÁV §¼À¹PÉÆArgÀÄvÁÛ£É. ನಂತರ ಪ ೇ ಪ ೇ Rೕ2ೆS ಮೂಲಕ +ೊಂದ ೆ ೊಡು ?ರು+ಾ? ೆ. ಇದ ೆ^ ಾನು _ಾಕಪ` ನನ ೆ ಈ 1ೕ ಯ9I +ೊಂದ ೆ Jಾಡು ? @ೕ_ಾ ಎಂದು ೇ8ದ@ ೆ^ ಾ)ೆbಂದ ಾನು ನ ೆ +ೊಂದ ೆ ೊಡುವ" ಲI ಾನು ಕ ೆದ ಕcೆ ೕನು ಬಂದ ೇ Jಾತ ಾ0 ಇತEಥ Jಾ0 ೊ)ೆe *ೕಣ ಎಂದು .ೇ8 ನ4ೆಂಬ5 2023 18 ರಂದು ಶ 4ಾರ Jಾಕ8ಯ°èರುವ ಒXೕ gಾhi ೆ ನನTನುT ಕ ೆದು ೊಂಡು .ೋ/ ಬುj Jಾ0 ಮ ಾEಹT ಸ1 ಸುJಾರು 02:00 ಗಂ ೆbಂದ 03:30 ರ ತನಕ ನನTನುT ೈ>ಕ4ಾ/ ಬಳ[ ೊಂಡು ಅವನ OPೈG ನ°è <0Xೕ 2ೇ ೆ>0ದು ೊಂ0ರು+ಾ? ೆ. ಾನು ಎYೆ;ೕ ಪ1 ಪ1_ಾ/ Pೇ0 ೊಂಡರು ೋಡು ಾ ಾ ಾನು .ೇ8ದ JಾತನುT ೇ8ದ ೆ ಸ1 ಇಲI ೇ .ೋದ°è ನT lೕ ೋವನುT .ಾಗೂ <0XೕವನುT 2ಾJಾmಕ nಾಲ+ಾನದ°è ಹ1 ಡು+ೆ?ೕ ೆಂದು ನನ ೆ Pೆದ1 ೆ .ಾB ನನTನುT PಾIj RೕG Jಾ0 ಎG.m ಮಹG ಕನTಮಂಗಲದ ಹ ?ರದ ಒಂದು ಜ ನ ಪ ೇಶ ೆ^, 3-4Pಾ1 ಮತು? ಮಧು ೆ ಾ p ಹ ?ರ <ರುವ ನಯ ಾ ೇ ೊ ೕG ಬಂj ¥ÀPÀÌzÀ ೋ0ನ ಒಳಗcೆ ಬರುವ ರಸ ೊಬMರದ ಾ]ಾ ೆಯ ಹ ?ರ ಸುJಾರು 3 Pಾ1 ನನTನುT ೈ>ಕ4ಾ/ ಬಲವಂತ4ಾ/ ಬಳ[ ೊಂ0ರು+ಾ? ೆ, .ಾಗೂ ಇತ ೆ ಮದು4ೆ_ಾ/ದು@ 1 ವಷ ದ .ೆಣುq ಮಗು<ರುವ <$ಾರವನುT ನ Tಂದ ಮ ೆJಾrರು+ಾ? ೆ. ಈ <ಷಯವನುT ಅ1ತ ಾನು ಇವ ಂದ ಸಂಪsಣ 4ಾ/ ಅಂತರ ಾಯು@ ೊಳ*ಲು ದ 1[ ೆ ಇವನೂ Vೕ ನಂಬ5 6362988923 ಇದನೂT ನನT OPೈG ನ9I, ¨ÁèPï 9p; ೆ .ಾBದು@, ಇದ1ಂದ ಕೂtತ ೊಂಡ BರC ಇವನ ದೂರ4ಾu ಸಂ]ೆE 88612086952 ಇದ1ಂದ ಾ 10:30 PÉÌ ಜುgೈ ಂಗ8ನ9I ನನ ೆ Vೕ ೋ ಕಳv>[ರು+ಾ? ೆ. ಆ lೕ ೋದ°è, ಅವನ ಮ ೆಯ9Iರುವ wಾE ೆ [ೕ ೆ ಕx;ರುವ rತ ವನುT .ಾB ನನTನುT PಾIj RೕG Jಾ0ದು@ ಪ ೇ ಪ ೇ ಈ Rೕ9ನ ಕೃತEವನುT 7-8 Pಾ1 ಬಳ[ ೊಂ0ರು+ಾ? ೆ. ಇವನ ಾಟ ಮತು? Bರುಕುಳ +ಾಳgಾರ ೇ ಾನು ನನT ಅಕ^ ಅಚ ನ =ಾವ ಬಸವ ಾಜು ಇವ1 ೆ 8[ದು@, ನನT =ಾವ ಾದ ಬಸವ ಾಜು ಇವರೂ BರC ಇವ ೆ ದೂರ4ಾu ಕ ೆ Jಾ0 ನKLಬMರ <$ಾರವನುT Jಾತ ಾ0ದು@ ಸದ1 <ಷಯ ೆ^ ಸಂಬಂ [ದಂ+ೆ BರC ಇವನು ಈ <$ಾರ ಂದ ೋಪ ೊಂಡು ಕ)ೆದ ಜುgೈ 2025 ರಂದು ಾನು ಸೂ^xಯ9I ಸಂ]ೆE ಕಎ-52 W 5628£À°è PÉ®¸ÀPÉÌ ºÉÆÃUÀÄªÀ ¸ÀAzÀ¨sÀðzÀ°è UÉÆ®èºÀ½î ¥ÉèöÊªÀgï ºÀwÛgÀ »A¢¤AzÀ £À£Àß£ÀÄß ¥Á¯ÉÆÃ ªÀiÁrPÉÆAqÀÄ §AzÀÄ QgÀuï EªÀ£ÀÄ ನನT ಸೂ^xಯ ಮುಂ=ಾಗ ೆ^ ಾರನುT ಅಡ'gಾ/ 9I[ ಎ gೆI, ಾ ಾ ನKLಬMರ <$ಾರವನುT ಮL ಅಕ^ =ಾವ ೆ .ೇ8¢Ý_ಾ ನTನುT mೕವಂತ4ಾ/ ಇರಲು ಡುವ" ಲI ಎಂದು ಅವನು ಅವನ ೈಯ9ದ@ wಾ [;ೕj rೕಲದ9Iನ ಾ2ಾಯuಕ B K ಔಷ ಯನುT ನನ ೆ ಬಲವಂತ4ಾ/ ಕು0ಸಲು ಮುಂ ಾಗು+ಾ? ೆ. ನಂತರ ಾನು

nೋ ಾ/ Bರುr ೊಂcಾಗ ರ2ೆ?ಯ9I .ೋಗು ?ದ@ ೆಲವರು ನನTನುT ಬಂದು Cವ ಂದ ರ{-ೆ Jಾ0ರು+ಾ? ೆ. .ಾಗೂ ಅಂದು Pೆಳ/ನ ನ ನನ ೆ BರC Vೕ Jಾ0 gೇ ಾ ಾ ೕನು ೆಳ nಾ ಯವಳv Jಾ ಗ ಜ ಾಂಗ ೆ^ 2ೇ1ದವ)ೆಂದು ನನ ೆ ೊ+ಾ?bತು ಆದ@1ಂದ ಾನು ನTನುT ಮದು4ೆ_ಾಗುವ" ಲI, ಎ9I_ಾದರೂ .ೋ/ 2ಾb Tಂದ ನನ ೇನೂ ಎಂದು Vೕ ಮೂಲಕ ಪ ೇ ಪ ೇ Bರುಕುಳ ೊಡು ?ದ@ ಈ <$ಾರವನುT 8ದ ನಮL =ಾವ ಾದ ಬಸವ ಾಜ ಮತು? ಅಕ^ ಅಚ ಾ ಇವ ೊಂ ೆ Jಾತ ಾಡಲು ಾಂಕ:28.08.2025 ರಂದು ಾ 08:00 ಗಂ ೆ ಸಮಯದ°è ಮಧು ೆ ಾ p ಬ8 BರC ನನುT ಕ ೆb[ ೆಳgಾ/ ಾನು ಒRL ಮುx;ದ@ .ೆಣqನುT ªÀÄÄlÄÖªÀÅ¢®è ಾ ಾ _ಾ ೆಂಬವ" ೇ ನನ ೆ ೊ ?ಲI ಅ ೇ ೋ Jಾ0 ೊಳv* ? ಾ Jಾ0 ೊ8* ಎಂದು £ÀªÉÄä®èjUÀÆ ¨ÉzÀj¹ C°èAiÀÄÆ PÀÆqÀ ೕವ" Jಾ ಗ nಾ ಯವರು ಮLನುT ಾನು ಮದು4ೆ_ಾಗುವ" ಲIಎಂದು ಅ4ಾಚE ಶಬ@ಗ8ಂದ Pೈದು ಈ <$ಾರವನುT _ಾ1 ಾದರೂ 8[ದ@9I ಮLನುT mೕವಂತ4ಾ/ ಡುವ" ಲI ಎಂದು .ೆದ1[ PÀ¼ÀÄ>[ರು+ಾ? ೆ. ಇದ1ಂದ 4ಾಪ¸ïì ಮ ೆ ೆ ಬಂದು ನನT ಅಕ^, ಅಚ ಾ ಇವರು 01.09.2025 ರಂದು 2ೋಮ4ಾರ Pೆ8 ೆ|,, 08:00 ಗಂ ೆ ಸಮಯದ°è <ಷ 2ೇ<[ ಆತLಹ+ೆE ೆ ಯ T[ರು+ಾ?) ೆ. ಇದನೂT ೋ0ದ ನಮL =ಾವ ಅಕ^ ಪಕ^ದವರು ನನT ಅಕ^ನನುT ೆಲಮಂಗಲ ಸ ಾ 1 ಆಸ`+ೆ ೆ ತುತು rB+ೆH ೆ ಾಖ9[ದು@ .ೆr~ನ rB+ೆH ಾ/ Pೆಂಗಳe1ನ < ೊ;ೕ1_ಾ ಆಸ`+ೆ ೆ ಾಖ9[ದು@ ನನT ಅಕ^ನನುT ಾ ೇ ೋ0 ೊಳv* ?ದ1 @ ಂದ ತಡ4ಾ/ ಬಂದು ದೂರು ೕಡು ? ೆ@ೕ ೆ ಆದ@1ಂದ ಧಯJಾ0 ನನ ೆ nಾ ಂದ ೆ, Jಾನ[ಕ Bರುಕುಳ, Oಸ, ವಂಚ ೆ ೊgೆ Pೆದ1 ೆ ಮತು? 2ಾ{• ಾಶ .ಾಗೂ ಪ ೇ ಪ ೇ ನನTನುT ೈ>ಕ4ಾ/ ಬಳ[ ೊಂ0ರುವ ಮತು? ನನT ಅಕ^ನ ಆತLಹ+ೆE ೆ ಾರಣ ಾದ ಈ Rೕ9ನ BರC gÁªÀÄAiÀÄå ರವರ <ರುದ€ ಾನೂನು ಕ ಮ ಜರು/ಸPೇ ೆಂದು ೕ0ದ ದೂರನುT ಪcೆದು ,ಾ-ಾ ªÉÆ.£ÀA: 199/2025 PÀ®A:64, 69, 71, 351(2), 352 ©.J£ï.J¸ï ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 67(J) L.n.DPïÖ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ PÀ®A: 3 cl 1 (r)(s)(w), 3 cl 2(v) Of SC/ST POA Act 1ೕ+ಾE ಪ ಕರಣ ಾಖ9[ರು+ೆ?."

7. A perusal of the complaint makes it clear that the

accused has committed sexual intercourse upon the victim in

the second week of June 2023. Against the accused on 18th

November 2025 to the victim to OYO lodge and committed

sexual intercourse upon the victim. Subsequently, the

appellant continuously harassed the victim through messages.

Thereafter approximately for about 3 to 4 times the appellant

took the victim to the isolated place near LG Mahal at

Kannamangala; and also near the isolated place at Fertiliser

factory located beside Nayara Petrol Bunk of Madure Road and

committed sexual intercourse. There is an abnormal delay of

two years in filing this complaint. The investigating officer has

already arrested the accused and he is in custody. Accused is

not required for any further investigation. Even after lapse of

60 days, the investigating officer has not submitted charge-

sheet against the accused as required under Sub-rule (2) of

Rule 7 of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocity) Rules, 1995.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, I am of

the opinion that it is just proper to allow this appeal with

conditions. Accordingly, I proceed to pass the following:

ORDER

i. Appeal is allowed;
       ii.    Order dated 03rd October, 2025 passed in

              Criminal     Misc.No.1764     of    2025   by    the    II

              Additional     District     and     Sessions     Judge,
Bengaluru Rural District, Bangalore, is set aside.

Consequently, the application filed under section

483 of BNSS,2023 is allowed.

iii. Appellant/accused shall be released on bail upon

executing a self-bond of Rs.1,00,000/- with one

surety for likesum to the satisfaction of the trial

court.

iv. Appellant/accused shall not tamper/threaten the

witnesses in any manner;

v. Appellant/accused shall not indulge in similar

offences.

Sd/-

(G BASAVARAJA) JUDGE

lnn