- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:36432 CRL.P No. 11926 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 12TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 11926 OF 2025 BETWEEN: MR. MURUGAN MANI S/O S. P. MANI, AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO.261/2, YELLAMMA TEMPLE STREET, HAL 3RD STAGE, BANGALORE NORTH, BENGALURU-560 075 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. NAUSHAD PASHA.,ADVOCATE) AND: STATE BY ASHOK NAGAR PS BENGALURU-560 025 REPRESENTED BY S.P.P HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA HIGH COURT BUILDING BENGALURU - 560001 …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. K. NAGESHWARAPPA., HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO GRANT AN ORDER OF AN ANTICIPATORY BAIL DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT POLICE(ASHOK NAGAR) TO ENLARGE HIM ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CR.NO.153/2025 FOR ALLEGED OFFENCES P/U/S 316(2), 318(4) OF BNS, REGISTERED BY RESPONDENT/ASHOK NAGAR PS, NOW PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE HONBLE 3RD ACJM COURT, BANGALORE. Digitally signed by LAKSHMI T Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:36432 CRL.P No. 11926 of 2025 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. Petitioner is the sole accused in Crime No.153/2025 of Ashoknagar Police Station, registered for the offence Punishable under Section 316(2), 318(4) of the BNS, 2023. 2. In the complaint lodged by one Mamidi Nagarjun, it is alleged that, the complainant and petitioner are known to each other since 2021, as their children are studying in the same school. Petitioner introduced himself as the CEO of one B.R. Shasthri Movers L.L.P and induced him to invest money in his company assuring profit. Believing the same, complainant transferred a sum of Rs.1,15,17,896/- on different dates between 13.06.2023 to 21.09.2023 by way of Net banking and also deposited - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:36432 CRL.P No. 11926 of 2025 Rs.31,10,000/- and in total invested Rs.1,46,27,896/-. At the time of investment, a draft partnership agreement was given to him by the accused and profit was paid for a period of 4 months to the tune of Rs.15,12,255/-. It is alleged that thereafter, accused stopped payment and when enquired, he informed him that the police have seized their firm and he requires a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- to de-freeze the account etc. 3. Complainant has alleged that accused induced him to invest money in the company, assuring huge profit and later cheated him by not paying the amount and also by closing the firm. Money is alleged to have been transferred between 13.06.2023 and 21.09.2023. It is alleged that accused has even given the draft partnership agreement and for about 4 months, paid the amount to the tune of Rs.15,12,455/- towards commission. As per complaint averments, company was closed two years prior to lodging of the complaint. Contention of the learned - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:36432 CRL.P No. 11926 of 2025 counsel for petitioner is that the dispute is purely civil in nature which has been given a colour of criminal texture. 4. The complainant has alleged that the company was closed about two years prior to lodging of the complaint. Amount alleged to have been transferred to the account furnished by the accused is between 13.06.2023 and 21.09.2023. On 29.06.2023, draft partnership agreement is said to have been given to the complainant and for about 4 months, commission amount to the tune of Rs.15,12,255/- was paid. The allegations that the accused had an intention to cheat the complainant etc. is a matter which has to be investigated into and established in due course. 5. Petitioner has no criminal antecedents. Offences alleged are not punishable with death or imprisonment for life. The relief sought by the petitioner can be granted by imposing conditions. Accordingly, the following: - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:36432 CRL.P No. 11926 of 2025 ORDER i) Petition is allowed. ii) Petitioner/accused in Crime No.153/2025 of Ashoknagar Police Station, 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.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) with two sureties for the likesum. b) He shall furnish proof of 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. - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:36432 CRL.P No. 11926 of 2025 e) He shall be regular in attending the Court proceedings. Sd/- (MOHAMMAD NAWAZ) JUDGE LDC List No.: 1 Sl No.: 49