- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC:7974 CRL.P No. 1969 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 21ST DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 1969 OF 2025 (438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)) BETWEEN: SRI VENKATARAMU S/O LATE VENKATARAMANAPPA AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, R/O BOMMASANDRA VILLAGE, ATTIBELE HOBLI, ANEKAL TALUK, BENGALURU DISTRICT -560 099. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. TRIVIKRAM S., ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY HEBBAGODI POLICE STATION, REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU -560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RANGASWAMY R., HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 CR.P.C (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN C.C.NO.5441/2024 ARISING OUT OF CR.NO.358/2024 REGISTERED BY THE HEBBAGODI POLICE FOR THE OFFENCE P/U/S 14(A) OF FOREIGNERS ACT 1946 R/W 370 OF IPC AND PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE LEARNED Digitally signed by LAKSHMI T Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC:7974 CRL.P No. 1969 of 2025 PRL.CIVIL JUDGE AND J.M.F.C ANEKAL, BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT AS PER ANNEXURE-E. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ ORAL ORDER Heard the learned counsel for petitioner, learned High Court Government Pleader for the State and perused the material on record. 2. FIR in Crime No.358/2024 of Hebbagodi PS, Bengaluru District is registered for offences punishable under Section 14 (A) of Foreigners Act, 1946 read with 370 of IPC, on a suo moto complaint lodged by the Police Inspector of Hebbagodi Police Station. 3. FIR is registered against accused Nos.1 to 4. Petitioner is arraigned as accused No.4 in the FIR. On completion of investigation, charge sheet has been filed. In the charge sheet accused by name Karthik, who was arraigned as accused No.3 in the FIR has been dropped. - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC:7974 CRL.P No. 1969 of 2025 4. It is alleged that, accused Nos.1 and 2 have illegally brought Bangla nationals to India and they were made to stay in the shed belonging to the petitioner and work in scrap shops. 5. The prosecution has to establish that, the petitioner has illegally secured the bangla nationals having knowledge about their nationality. Merely because they were residing in the shed belonging to the petitioner, at this stage knowledge or intention on his part cannot be imputed. Petitioner is a permanent resident of Bengaluru. He has undertaken to furnish adequate surety to ensure his presence before the trial Court. Since warrant has been issued against the petitioner, he can be directed to appear before the jurisdictional Court and file necessary applications to recall the warrant and for bail. 6. Petitioner is permitted to appear before the jurisdictional Court within a period of 1 week from the date of receipt of copy of the order and file necessary - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC:7974 CRL.P No. 1969 of 2025 applications as noted supra and in that event, he shall be enlarged on bail imposing necessary conditions. 7. Petition is disposed of. Sd/- (MOHAMMAD NAWAZ) JUDGE AMM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 41