[Cites 3, Cited by 0]
Karnataka High Court
Govindraju vs The State Of Karnataka on 27 February, 2026
Author: Shivashankar Amarannavar
Bench: Shivashankar Amarannavar
-1-
NC: 2026:KHC:12225
CRL.P No. 2049 of 2026
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 27TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR
CRIMINAL PETITION No. 2049 OF 2026 (439(Cr.PC) /
483(BNSS))
BETWEEN:
1. GOVINDRAJU
S/O LATE BEERAIAH
AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS
POLICE INSPECTOR
ATTACHED TO K.P.AGRAHARA
P.S. BENGALURU URBAN
R/AT No.1603, 5TH CROSS
SHRINIVASNAGAR, PATTEGARAPALYA
BENGALURU-560 079.
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI MANJU BYRAL R, ADVOCATE
SRI K B K SWAMY, ADVOCATE)
Digitally signed by
LAKSHMINARAYANA AND:
MURTHY RAJASHRI
Location: HIGH
COURT OF 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
KARNATAKA THROUGH POLICE INSPECTOR
KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA
BENGALURU URBAN DIVISION
BENGALURU REPRESENTED BY
SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
HIGH COURT BUILDING
BENGALURU-560 001.
...RESPONDENT
(BY SRI MANISH R, ADVOCATE FOR
SRI B B PATIL, ADVOCATE)
-2-
NC: 2026:KHC:12225
CRL.P No. 2049 of 2026
HC-KAR
THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 Cr.PC (FILED
UNDER SECTION 483 BNNS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE HIM ON
BAIL IN CR.No.4/2026 REGISTERED BY THE RESPONDENT I.E.,
KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTHA POLICE, BENGLAURU CITY, FOR THE
OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 7(a) OF PREVENTION
OF CORRUPTION ACT.
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 the sole accused under
Section 483 of BNSS praying to grant bail in Crime No.
4/2026 of Karnataka Lokayuktha Police, Bengaluru,
registered for offence punishable under Section 7(a) of
Prevention of Corruption Act.
2. Heard learned counsel for petitioner and
learned counsel for respondent.
3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend
that petitioner was working as a Police Inspector in K.P.
Agrahara Police Station and he had registered Crime Nos.
12/2026 and 28/2026 against the complainant for offences
under BNS and BUDS Act. It is alleged in the complaint
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HC-KAR
that the petitioner had demanded Rs.5,00,000/- to drop
the complainant from the said cases. Trap has been laid
and petitioner has been found receiving Rs.4,00,000/-.
Trap mahazar has been drawn. Bait amount has been
seized. In trap cases, major portion of the investigation
will be over on the day of the trap. Petitioner is in judicial
custody since 29.01.2026. As major portion of the
investigation is over petitioner is not required for further
custodial interrogation. Petitioner undertakes to abide by
any conditions to be imposed by this Court. With this, he
prayed to allow the petition.
4. Per contra learned counsel for respondent
would contend that there is clear recording of conversation
between the petitioner and the complainant and it has
been reduced into writing in the pre-trap mahazar. There
is also conversation recorded at the time of trap and it is
also reduced into writing in the trap mahazar. Petitioner
was found receiving Rs.4,00,000/- at the time of trap. The
hand wash of the petitioner was positive for
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HC-KAR
Phenolphthalein test. There is clear demand and
acceptance of the bribe. With this he prayed to reject the
petition.
5. Having heard learned counsel for the parties the
Court has perused FIR, complaint, mahazars and other
materials placed on record.
6. Petitioner was working as Police Inspector in
K.P. Agrahara Police Station. Petitioner had registered
Crime Nos. 12/2026 and 28/2026 against the accused
persons. It is the case of complainant that in order to drop
the complainant from the said crimes petitioner had
demanded Rs.5,00,000/-, he had paid Rs.1,00,000/- as
advance and agreed to pay remaining amount of
Rs.4,00,000/-. Trap has been laid and during the trap
petitioner was found receiving Rs.4,00,000/- from the
complainant. Trap mahazar has been drawn. Hand wash of
the petitioner was found positive for Phenolphthalein test.
In trap cases major portion of the investigation will be
over on the day of trap, except for receiving the FSL
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HC-KAR
report. Petitioner is in judicial custody since 29.01.2026.
As major portion of the investigation is over, he is not
required for further custodial interrogation. Petitioner is a
Police Inspector and his presence can be secured easily for
further investigation and trial. There are no criminal
antecedents of the petitioner.
7. Considering the above aspects, petitioner has
made out a case for grant of bail with conditions.
In the result, the following;
ORDER
Petition is allowed. Petitioner is granted bail in Crime
No. 4/2026 of Karnataka Lokayuktha Police, Bengaluru
subject to following conditions:
I. Petitioner shall execute bail bond for a sum of
Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety for the likesum to the
satisfaction of the jurisdictional Court.
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II. Petitioner shall not tamper the prosecution
witnesses either directly or indirectly.
III. Petitioner shall appear before the Investigating
Officer whenever called for and cooperate for further
investigation.
IV. Petitioner shall attend the trial Court on all dates of
hearing, unless exempted and cooperate for speedy
disposal of the case.
Sd/-
(SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR)
JUDGE
LRS
List No.: 1 Sl No.: 31
Ct.sm
