[Cites 6, Cited by 0]
Karnataka High Court
Basavaraju V vs The State Of Karnataka on 6 February, 2026
Author: Shivashankar Amarannavar
Bench: Shivashankar Amarannavar
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NC: 2026:KHC:7095
CRL.P No. 15460 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. 15460 OF 2025 (438(Cr.PC) /
482(BNSS))
BETWEEN:
1. BASAVARAJU V
S/O VENKATARAMNAYAK
AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS
2. RACHAPPAJI @ RACHANAIKA
S/O LATE SIDDANAIK
AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS
3. KRISHNA @ KRISHNANAIKA
S/O LATE BELLANAYAK
AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS
4. MAHADEVANAYAKA @ MOODALSEEME
MAHADEVANAYAKA
Digitally signed by S/O MADANAYAK
LAKSHMINARAYANA
MURTHY RAJASHRI AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS
Location: HIGH
COURT OF
KARNATAKA
5. SIDDARAJANAYAKA
S/O KARINAIK
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS
6. MAHADEVANAYAKA
S/O THIMMANAYAK
AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS
7. SHIVANNANAYAKA
S/O HONKARANAYAK
AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS
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NC: 2026:KHC:7095
CRL.P No. 15460 of 2025
HC-KAR
8. CHENNANAYAKA
S/O LAKSHMANANAYAK
AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS
RESIDENT OF
YADAVANAHALLI VILLAGE
GUNDLUPETE TALUK
CHAMARAJANAGAR DISTRICT
PIN-571 111
...PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. OMKAR MUTTAGI, ADVOCATE FOR
SRI. SHARAS CHANDRA M, ADVOCATE)
AND:
THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
BY BENGUR P.S
CHAMARAJANAGAR DISTRICT
(THROUGH THE S.P.P
HIGH COURT PREMISES
BENGALURU CITY-560 001)
...RESPONDENT
(BY SMT. WAHEEDA M.M, HCGP)
THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 OF CR.P.C
(FILED UNDER SECTION 482 OF BNSS) PRAYING TO SET
ASIDE THE ORDER DATED 25.04.2025 IN CRL. MISC NO.
485/2024 AND ALSO ORDER DATED 25.04.2025 IN CRL. MISC
NO.51/2025 FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION
306, 114, R/W SECTION 149 OF I.P.C AND ENLARGE THEM ON
ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN CONNECTION WITH THE CRIME NO.
201/2023 (CC NO.432/2024) TRIED FOR OFFENCES
PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 306, 114, R/W SECTION 149
OF I.P.C PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE ADDITIONAL CIVIL
JUDGE (JR.DN) AND JMFC COURT, GUNDLUPET,
CHAMARAJANAGAR DISTRICT.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY,
ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
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NC: 2026:KHC:7095
CRL.P No. 15460 of 2025
HC-KAR
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR
ORAL ORDER
1. This petition is filed by accused Nos. 10, 18, 19,
21, 22, 23, 24, 27 under Section 482 of BNSS praying to
grant anticipatory bail in Crime No. 201/2023 of Beguru
Police Station registered for offence under Sections 306,
114 read with Section 149 of IPC.
2. Heard learned counsel for petitioners and
learned HCGP for respondent - State.
3. Learned counsel for petitioners would contend
that the petitioners were not members of the panchayat.
The allegation is that panchayat members had imposed
fine on C.W.2 to C.W.4 for having assaulted each other
with chappal and it was questioned by the deceased
Shivaraju and to him also, fine has been imposed.
Deceased is stated to have committed suicide as he had
been insulted by imposition of fine. It is stated that the
deceased has left a death note. Death note is not part of
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HC-KAR
the chargesheet. Investigation is over and chargesheet is
filed. Petitioners are not required for any custodial
interrogation. The offence alleged against the petitioners is
not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life.
There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioners. With
this he prayed to allow the petition.
4. Per contra, learned HCGP would contend that
the petitioners were members of the panchayat which
imposed fine not only on C.W.2 to C.W.4 but also on the
deceased. The deceased, as he was insulted by imposition
of fine, left death note and committed suicide by hanging
with a saree in the house. There is a prima facie case
against the petitioners for offences alleged against them.
With this, she prayed to reject the petition.
5. Having heard learned counsel for the parties,
this Court has perused the chargesheet and other
materials placed on record.
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HC-KAR
6. The accusation in the chargesheet against the
petitioners is that they were members of the panchayat
and they have imposed fine on C.W.2 to C.W.4 for having
assaulted each other with chappal. When deceased
questioned them, they also imposed fine on the deceased.
The deceased, being insulted by imposition of fine, left
death note and committed suicide by hanging with a saree
in the house. Whether the alleged act of the petitioners
imposing fine on the deceased amounts abetment to
commit suicide or not is a matter of trial. As chargesheet
is filed petitioners are not required for custodial
interrogation. The offence alleged against the petitioners is
not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life.
There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioners.
7. Considering the above aspects, petitioners have
made out case for grant of anticipatory bail with
conditions.
In the result, the following
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HC-KAR
ORDER
Petition is allowed. Petitioners are ordered to be
released on bail in the event of their arrest in Crime No.
201/2023 of Beguru Police Station subject to following
conditions.
I. Petitioners shall appear before the jurisdictional
Court within 15 days from this day and execute bail
bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- each with one
surety for the likesum with the satisfaction of the
jurisdictional Court.
II. Petitioners shall not tamper the prosecution
witnesses either directly or indirectly.
III. Petitioners shall attend the trial Court on all dates of
the hearing unless exempted and cooperate for
speedy disposal of the case.
Sd/-
(SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR)
JUDGE
LRS
List No.: 1 Sl No.: 18
