- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52559 CRL.P No. 14396 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 11TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14396 OF 2025 (439(Cr.PC) / 483(BNSS)) BETWEEN: ANAND @ PUTTA @ NARAYANA S/O LATE JAYARAMAIAH, AGED ABOUT 23 YEARS R/A KOTTHIHALLI VILLAGE, KASABA HOBLI, TUMAKURU TALUK PIN 572102. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. RAJENDRA DESAI, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY WOMEN POLICE STATION TUMAKURU, PIN 572102. REP BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, BANGALORE 560001. 2. SMT JYOTHI W/O PRAKASH S B AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, RESIDING AT NEW EXTN, HEGGERE, TUMAKURU TALUK, TUMAKURU 572102. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI K, HCGP FOR R1; R2- SERVED, UNREPRESENTED) Digitally signed by LAKSHMI T Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52559 CRL.P No. 14396 of 2025 THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 439 CR.PC (FILED U/S 483 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON REGULAR BAIL IN SPL.C NO.270/2023 ARISING OUT OF CR.NO.166/2022 REGISTERED BY TUMAKURU WOMEN P.S, FOR THE O/P/US 376, 504 AND 506 OF IPC, 1860 AND SEC. 6 AND 12 OF POCSO ACT 2012 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE ADDL.DIST. AND SESSIONS JUDGE (FTSC-I) TUMAKURU. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ ORAL ORDER This is a successive bail petition preferred by the petitioner praying to enlarge him on bail in Spl. C.No.270/2023 pending on the file of the Additional District and Sessions Judge (FTSC-I), Tumakuru, arising out of Crime No.166/2022 of Tumakuru Women Police Station. 2. Petitioner is facing charges for the offences punishable under Section 376, 504, 506 of IPC and Section 6 and 12 of POCSO Act 2012. He is accused of committing penetrative sexual assault on a minor victim and then threatening her with dire consequences, if she discloses the incident to others. It is alleged that he called - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52559 CRL.P No. 14396 of 2025 the victim’s mother over phone and abused her in filthy language, etc. 3. Having regard to the material on record, including the statement of the victim recorded under Section 164 of Cr.P.C., this Court dismissed Criminal Petition No.12758/2023 seeking bail vide order dated 07.02.2024. 4. The present petition is filed on the ground that the victim is already examined and the petitioner is languishing in judicial custody for nearly three years. 5. Learned HCGP contended that the victim has supported the case of prosecution and considering the gravity of the offence, the incarceration undergone by the petitioner is not a ground to enlarge him on bail. 6. Admittedly, the trial is in progress. The offences alleged to have been committed by the petitioner is heinous in nature. This Court has already rejected the prayer seeking bail on merits. Considering the punishment - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:52559 CRL.P No. 14396 of 2025 prescribed, incarceration undergone by the petitioner is not a ground to enlarge the petitioner on bail. Considering that the petitioner is in judicial custody from 31.12.2022 and the trial is in progress, learned Sessions Judge is directed to expedite the trial and as far as possible, conclude the trial within a period of SIX months from today 7. With the above observation, the petition is dismissed. Sd/- (MOHAMMAD NAWAZ) JUDGE JJ List No.: 1 Sl No.: 13