- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:47812 CRL.P No. 14993 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 19TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION No. 14993 OF 2025 (438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)) BETWEEN: 1. LOKESH MEHRA S/O OMKAR MEHRA AGED 44 YEARS R/AT No. F504 INNER SPACE MEADOWS IN THE SUN OWNERS COURT WEST KASAVANAHALLI BANGALORE - 560 035. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. MANJUNATH B R, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY KUMARASWAMY LAYOUT POLICE REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU-560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI CHANNAPPA ERAPPA, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 (FILED U/S.482 BNSS) Cr.P.C PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON ANITICPATORY BAIL IN CRIME No.285/2025 OF KUMARASWAMY LAYOUT POLICE STATION, REGISTERED FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 108 OF BNS, Digitally signed by LAKSHMINARAYANA MURTHY RAJASHRI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:47812 CRL.P No. 14993 of 2025 2023 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE XXX ADDL. CJM AT BENGALURU. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR ORAL ORDER This petition is filed by the sole accused under Section 482 of BNSS praying to grant anticipatory bail in Cr.No.285/2025 of Kumarswamy Layout Police Station registered for the offences punishable under Section 108 of BNS. 2. Heard learned counsel for petitioner and learned HCGP for respondent/State. 3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend that the deceased was working as a Educational Counsellor in Dayanand Sagar University wherein the petitioner was working as a Director. It is alleged that this petitioner was harassing the deceased, asking her to work overtime also on weekends and he was talking with her in singular. The said act of the petitioner does not amount to abatement to - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:47812 CRL.P No. 14993 of 2025 commit suicide. The petitioner is ready to co-operate with the Investigating Officer in the investigation and abide by any terms and conditions to be imposed by this Court. With this he prayed to allow the petition. 4. Per contra, learned HCGP would contend that the deceased who was working in Dayanand Sagar University under this petitioner was working under pressure and also on weekends as per directions of this petitioner. He was talking with her in singular. The investigation is in progress. With this, he prayed to reject the petition. 5. Having heard the learned counsels, the Court has perused the FIR, complaint and other materials placed on record. 6. The case of the prosecution is that this petitioner's acts abated the deceased to commit suicide. The petitioner is working as a Director in Dayanand Sagar University, wherein the deceased was working as an educational Counsellor. Whether the acts of the petitioner amounts to abatement to commit suicide is a matter of investigation. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:47812 CRL.P No. 14993 of 2025 The petitioner has undertaken to co-operate with the police in the investigation. The offence alleged against the petitioner is not punishable with death or imprisonment for life. There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner. Considering the above aspects, the petitioner has made out case for grant of anticipatory bail with conditions. In the result, following: ORDER The petition is allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on bail, in the event of his arrest, in Crime No.285/2025 of Kumarswamy Layout Police Station, subject to following conditions: (i) The petitioner shall appear before the IO within 15 days from this day and execute a bail bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh only) with one surety for the like sum to the satisfaction of the IO. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:47812 CRL.P No. 14993 of 2025 (ii) The petitioner shall co-operate with the IO in the investigation. (iii) The petitioner shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer or tamper with the evidence. (iv) The petitioner shall appear before the IO whenever called for. In view of disposal of the petition, I.A.1/2025 does not survive for consideration and accordingly, it is disposed of. Sd/- (SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR) JUDGE DKB List No.: 1 Sl No.: 22 Ct.sm