[Cites 13, Cited by 0]
Karnataka High Court
Sri. Manjunath L.S., @ Magadi Manju vs The State Of Karnataka, By Byadarahalli ... on 25 February, 2026
Author: Shivashankar Amarannavar
Bench: Shivashankar Amarannavar
-1-
NC: 2026:KHC:11668
CRL.P No. 948 of 2026
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 25TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR
CRIMINAL PETITION No. 948 OF 2026 (439(Cr.PC) /
483(BNSS))
BETWEEN:
1. SRI. MANJUNATH L.S.,
@ MAGADI MANJU.
S/O. SRIDHAR
AGEDA ABOUT 38 YEARS
R/AT: 67, 3RD CROSS
DAKSHINA MURTHY LAYOUT
CHANNENAHALLI, MAGADI MAIN ROAD
BANGALORE - 562 130.
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI PRAVEEN KUMAR N K, ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
Digitally signed by BY BYADARAHALLI POLICE STATION
LAKSHMINARAYANA REP. BY ITS PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
MURTHY RAJASHRI
Location: HIGH HIGH COURT STATE BUILDING
COURT OF BANGALORE - 560 010.
KARNATAKA
...RESPONDENT
(BY SRI HARISH GANAPATHY, HCGP)
THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 Cr.PC (FILED
UNDER SECTION 483 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGED THE
ACCUSED PERSON No.1/PETITIONER HEREIN ON REGULAR
BAIL IN CRIME No.575/2025 FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE
UNDER SECTIONS 115(2), 118(2), 308(5), 352, 351(2),
126(2), 140(2), 61(2) R/W 3(5) OF BNS 2023.
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NC: 2026:KHC:11668
CRL.P No. 948 of 2026
HC-KAR
THIS PETITION COMING ON FOR ORDERS THIS DAY,
ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR
ORAL ORDER
1. This petition is filed by accused No. 1 under
Section 483 of BNSS praying to grant bail in Crime No.
575/2025 of Byadarahalli Police Station registered for
offence under Sections 115(2), 118(2), 308(5), 352,
351(2), 126(2), 140(2), 61(2) read with Section 3(5) of
BNS.
2. Heard learned counsel for petitioner and
learned HCGP for respondent - State.
3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend
that petitioner is a press reporter of Sthree news channel
and he conducted a sting operation with regard to
transportation of Gutka carried by the complainant and
another and therefore a false complaint has been filed. In
the remand application it is mentioned that petitioner is
not required for further custodial interrogation. There is no
recovery of cash. There is recovery of vehicle of petitioner.
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Wife of petitioner has filed a complaint on 16.12.2025 and
it is registered in Crime No. 576/2025 against the first
informant and another. Wife of petitioner is also a press
reporter. Arrest formalities were not followed by the
arresting authority. Petitioner voluntarily went to the
Police Station on 16.12.2025 to lodge a complaint and at
that time he has been arrested. As major portion of the
investigation is over, petitioner is not required for further
custodial interrogation. He further submitted that
petitioner is involved in two cases in which he has already
been granted bail. On these grounds, he prayed to allow
the petition.
4. Per contra learned HCGP would contend that
petitioner is having criminal antecedents and he is
involved in the following cases:
a) Cr. No. 734/2025 - 308(2), 308(3) of BNS,
Peenya Police Station
b) Cr. No. 728/2025, 308(2), 329(4), 351(2) of BNS,
Hebbagodi Police Station
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c) Cr. Nos. 66/2014, 297/2017, 36/2018 of
Kamakshipalya Police Station - Rowdy Sheeter.
d) Cr. No. 855/2013, Sections 399, 402 of IPC,
Kamakshipalya Police Station.
5. Petitioner, projecting himself as a media
person, was threatening and extorting money from the
public. In the case on hand there is robbery of
Rs.2,00,000/- by this petitioner and his associates and it is
yet to be recovered. Investigation is in progress. If the
petitioner is granted bail at any stage, there are chances
of him hampering the investigation and tampering the
prosecution witnesses. The alleged incident has been
recorded in CCTV and footage has been collected. With
this, he prayed to reject the petition.
6. Having heard learned counsel for the parties,
the Court has perused the FIR, complaint and other
materials placed on record.
7. As per averments of the complaint, the incident
has taken place at 12.00 midnight on 15.12.2025, wherein
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it is alleged that petitioner and his associates have
stopped the car of first informant who was with another
and robbed Rs.2,00,000/-. Petitioner came to be arrested
on 16.12.2025 and his car has been seized. Voluntary
statement of the petitioner has been recorded. Wife of this
petitioner has filed a complaint and it came to be
registered in Crime No. 576/2025 of Byadarahalli Police
Station against first informant and another. The alleged
robbed amount of Rs.2,00,000/- has not yet been
recovered. Investigating Officer has to ascertain who are
the other persons who were with the petitioner and has to
recover the said amount of Rs.2,00,000/- robbed from
first informant and others.
8. Petitioner is having criminal antecedents and he
is involved in the aforesaid cases. As the petitioner is
having criminal antecedents, if he is granted bail, there
are chances of him committing similar offence and
hampering the investigation. The offence alleged against
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the petitioner is provided with punishment of
imprisonment which may extend to 10 years.
9. Considering the above aspects and that
investigation is in progress, petitioner, at this stage, is not
entitled for grant of bail.
In the result, petition is dismissed. Petitioner is at
liberty to make an application before the Sessions Court
after filing of chargesheet.
Sd/-
(SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR)
JUDGE
LRS
List No.: 1 Sl No.: 29
Ct.sm
