- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35809 CRL.P No. 12329 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 12329 OF 2025 BETWEEN: SRI. MANJUNATH N. S/O. NARAYANAPPA, AGED 52 YEARS, R/AT: NO.16, ANKATATTE VILLAGE, MELUR, SHIDLAGHATTA TALUK, CHIKKABALLAPURA-562 102. SHOWN IN THE FIR AS: MANJUNATH VIJAYAPURA TOWN, DEVANAHALLI TQ, BENGALURU DISTRICT, KARNATAKA. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. NITHIN GOWDA K.C., ADVOCATE FOR SRI. PRASANNA KUMAR P., ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY VIJAYAPURA PS, DODDABALLAPURA SUB-DIVISION, BENGALURU DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY ITS STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, DR.B.R.AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU-560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY MS. ASMA KOUSER, ADDL. SPP) Digitally signed by LAKSHMI T Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35809 CRL.P No. 12329 of 2025 THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CONNECTION WITH THE CRIME NO. 148/2025 DATED 29.07.2025 REGISTERED BY THE RESPONDENT/VIJAYAPURA PS AS AGAINST THE PETITIONER AND TWO OTHERS WHEREIN THE PETITIONER IS ARRAYED AS ACCUSED NO.1 ALLEGING THE COMMISSION OF THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE U/S. 376 AND 506 OF IPC, WHICH IS SUBMITTED BEFORE THE ADDITIONAL CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC COURT, DEVANAHALLI, BENGALURU DISTRICT. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ ORAL ORDER Petitioner is seeking to enlarge him on anticipatory bail in a case registered at Vijayapura Police Station, Bengaluru District in Cr.No.148/2025, for the offence punishable under Section 376 and 506 of IPC. 2. The complainant/victim has alleged that on 7.8.2018, petitioner has committed forcible sexual intercourse with her and then threatened her with dire consequences, if she revealed the incident to her husband. She has further alleged that accused has committed - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35809 CRL.P No. 12329 of 2025 similar acts for about one year and as she was scared, did not reveal the incident to her husband etc. 3. FIR is registered against accused Nos.1 to 3. The incident is alleged to have taken place on 7.8.2018. The complaint is lodged on 29.7.2025. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner contended that there was some financial transaction between the petitioner and complainant in the year 2018 in respect of purchase of a property and an agreement of sale was also executed between them. Thereafter, the said sale agreement was cancelled on 3.7.2024 and with the said vengeance, complainant has come up with a false case. It is further contended that, even earlier a similar complaint was lodged against the petitioner making false allegations in the year 2024. 5. Admittedly, the complainant is major, aged about 46 years. The complaint is lodged after an - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35809 CRL.P No. 12329 of 2025 inordinate delay. The veracity of the complaint averments have to be established in a full fledged trial. 6. In the facts and circumstances, without expressing any view on the merits of the case, the relief sought by the petitioner can be granted by imposing suitable conditions. Hence, the following: ORDER 1. Petition is allowed. 2. Petitioner/accused No.1 in Crime No.148/2025 registered by Vijayapura Police Station, Bengaluru District, 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 personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh only) with two sureties for the likesum. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:35809 CRL.P No. 12329 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.: 62