- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35498 CRL.P No. 11845 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 9TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 11845 OF 2025 BETWEEN: PAVAN KUMAR S. @ RAGHU S/O G. SHEKHAR, AGED ABOUT 28 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO.190/1, 3RD BLOCK, 12TH CROSS, 2ND MAIN, NEAR S.V.C.K SCHOOL, THYAGARAJANAGAR, BENGALURU-560 028. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHIVAKUMAR D.K., ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY KUMARSWAMY LAYOUT POLICE STATION, BENGALURU CITY. REPRESENTED BY SPP, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU-560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RANGASWAMY R., HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 CR.P.C (U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENT POLICE TO RELEASE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL, IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CRIME NO.223/2025, FOR AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 115(2), 140(2), 3(5), OF THE BHARATIYA NYAYA Digitally signed by LAKSHMI T Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35498 CRL.P No. 11845 of 2025 SANHITA (BNS), 2023, OF RESPONDENT POLICE STATION, BENGALURU, WHICH IS PENDING ON THE FILE OF XXX ADDL. CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, BENGALURU. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ ORAL ORDER This petition under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023 is preferred to enlarge the petitioner/accused No.5 on bail in Cr.No.223/2025 of Kumaraswamy Layout Police Station, Bengaluru City, registered for the offence punishable under Section 115(2), 140(2) r/w 3(5) of BNS, 2023. 2. Heard both sides and perused the material on record. 3. In the complaint lodged by one Rajesh A., it is averred that on 18.7.2025 at about 7.15 p.m., after completion of his work, while he was proceeding to his house, near Indusind Bank, Dayanand Sagar College Road, he saw four persons abducting two boys aged 20-22 years. When he questioned them, they told him that they - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35498 CRL.P No. 11845 of 2025 are involved in selling ganja. Then they forcibly took the boys in a car bearing registration No.KA-19-M-5824. 4. Learned counsel for petitioner contended that the petitioner has been falsely implicated only on the voluntary statement of the co-accused, he is not involved in any case much less the one now alleged against him, he has no criminal antecedents and therefore, he may be enlarged on bail by imposing conditions. 5. The learned HCGP contended that investigation is in progress, petitioner is absconding from the date of registration of the case, the statement of the victims are recorded and the petitioner is required for identification. He, therefore, contended if the petitioner is released on bail, he may not co-operate with the investigation of the case and tamper with the prosecution witnesses. 6. As per FIR contents, four persons abducted the victims in a car bearing registration No.KA-19-M-5824. It is alleged that the said accused demanded ransom of - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35498 CRL.P No. 11845 of 2025 Rs.2 lakhs for the release of the victims. The statements of the victims are recorded. It appears that on the voluntary statements of the co-accused, the petitioner has been arraigned as accused No.5. The petitioner has undertaken to co-operate with the investigation of the case and furnish surety to ensure his presence before the trial Court. Hence, the following: ORDER 1. Petition is allowed. 2. Petitioner/accused No.5 in Crime No.223/2025 registered by Kumaraswamy Layout Police Station, Bengaluru City, shall be released in the event of his arrest, subject to following conditions: a) He shall appear before the Investigating Officer within one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand only) with two sureties for the likesum. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35498 CRL.P No. 11845 of 2025 b) He shall furnish his residential address/contact number and shall inform the I.O. in case of change in the address/contact number. c) He shall co-operate with the investigation of the case. d) He shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence/witnesses either directly or indirectly. e) He shall be regular in attending the Court proceedings. Sd/- (MOHAMMAD NAWAZ) JUDGE TL List No.: 1 Sl No.: 78