[Cites 4, Cited by 0]
Karnataka High Court
Sri Chidananda M vs State Of Karnataka on 6 February, 2026
Author: Shivashankar Amarannavar
Bench: Shivashankar Amarannavar
-1-
NC: 2026:KHC:7096
CRL.P No. 16178 of 2025
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 6TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR
CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 16178 OF 2025 (438(Cr.PC) /
482(BNSS))
BETWEEN:
SRI. CHIDANANDA M
S/O MANJEGOWDA
AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS
RESIDING AT HONNAKUMARANAHALLI
LALANAKERE POST, GANDASI HOBLI
ARSIKERE TALUK
HASSAN DISTRICT-573 164
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI. H.V. PRAVEEN GOWDA, ADVOCATE)
AND:
STATE OF KARNATAKA
BY HASSAN CITY P.S.
Digitally signed by
LAKSHMINARAYANA REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
MURTHY RAJASHRI
Location: HIGH HIGH COURT COMPLEX
COURT OF
KARNATAKA AMBEDKAR VEEDHI
BENGALURU-560 001
...RESPONDENT
(BY SRI. M.R. PATIL, HCGP)
THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 OF CR.P.C
(FILED UNDER SECTION 482 OF BNSS) PRAYING TO GRANT
BAIL BY DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT POLICE TO ENLARGE
THE PETITIONER ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF
THE ARREST IN CR.NO.154/2025 REGISTERED IN HASSAN CITY
POLICE STATION FOR AN ALLEGED OFFENCE PUNISHABLE
UNDER SECTIONS 316(4),318(3),318(4) OF BNS PENDING ON
-2-
NC: 2026:KHC:7096
CRL.P No. 16178 of 2025
HC-KAR
THE FILE OF THE PRINCIPAL CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC AT
HASSAN.
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 482 of BNSS praying to grant anticipatory bail in
Crime No. 154/2025 of Hassan City Police Station
registered for offence punishable under Sections 316(4),
318(3), 318(4) of BNS.
2. Heard learned counsel for petitioner and learned
HCGP for respondent - State.
3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend
that as on the date of alleged offence, petitioner was not
working in the office, he had been transferred and in his
place accused No. 2 was working as Taluka Nodal Officer.
Petitioner is not involved in commission of any offence as
alleged. It is accused No. 3 - District Nodal Officer who is
involved in commission of the offence. Petitioner is ready
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HC-KAR
to cooperate with the Investigating Officer in investigation.
The offences alleged against the petitioner are not
punishable either with death or imprisonment for life.
There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner. With
this, he prayed to allow the petition.
4. Per contra, learned HCGP would contend that
petitioner is directly involved in commission of the offence.
Investigation is in progress and petitioner is required for
custodial interrogation. With this, he prayed to reject the
petition.
5. Having heard learned counsel for the parties the
Court has perused the FIR, complaint and other materials
placed on record.
6. This Court while granting anticipatory bail to
accused No. 2 in the order dated 07.01.2026 passed in
Crl.P. No. 16113/2025 has observed as under:
"6. On perusal of averments of the
complaint, there is an allegation against accused
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Nos.1 to 3 that they have transferred Rs.7.5
lakhs in total to non-beneficiaries and mis-
appropriated the amount. The matter is under
investigation. What is the role of this petitioner
is to be ascertained in the investigation. The
offences alleged against the petitioner are not
punishable either with death or imprisonment or
life. There are no criminal antecedents of the
petitioner. The petitioner has undertaken to co-
operate with the IO in the investigation and
abide by any conditions to be imposed by this
court."
7. Petitioner has been transferred and in his place
accused No. 2 was posted. Considering the said aspect,
petitioner is also placed similar to that of accused No. 2
who has been granted anticipatory bail. There are no
criminal antecedents of the petitioner. The offences alleged
against the petitioner are not punishable either with death
or imprisonment for life. Petitioner has undertaken to
cooperate with the Investigating Officer in the investigation
and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court.
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HC-KAR
8. Considering the above aspects, petitioner has
made out case for grant of anticipatory bail with
conditions.
In the result of the following
ORDER
Petition is allowed. Petitioner is ordered to be
released on bail in the event of his arrest in Crime
No.154/2025 of Hassan City Police Station subject to
following conditions:
1. 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/- with one surety for the likesum
to the satisfaction of Investigating Officer.
2. Petitioner shall appear before the Investigating
Officer whenever called for and cooperate in
the investigation.
3. Petitioner shall not directly or indirectly make
any inducement, threat or promise to any
person acquainted with the facts of the case
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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
LRS
List No.: 1 Sl No.: 21
