- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9124 CRL.A No. 2606 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 13TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G BASAVARAJA CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 2606 OF 2025 BETWEEN: ADISH GOWDA P S/O PARAMESHWAR AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS, R/AT BOCHAPUR VILLAGE HIRIYUR TALUK, CHITRADURGA DISTRICT-577598 …APPELLANT (BY SRI. SUYOG HERELE E., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA THROUGH HIRIYUR RURAL POLICE STATION CHITRADURGA DISTRICT REPRESENTED BY ITS STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, BANGALORE-560 001. 2. SHANTALA V S/O LATE VEERABHDRAPPA AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS DODDAPETE CHITRADURGA TOWN AND DISTRICT PIN-577501. Digitally signed by SHARADAVANI B Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9124 CRL.A No. 2606 of 2025 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI.K, HCGP FOR R1; SRI.PRUTHVAN PRASHAD KATTIMAND, ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS CRL.A. IS FILED U/S.14(A) (2) OF SC/ST (POA) ACT, 1989 PRAYING TO ALLOW THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL AND SET ASIDE THE ORDER DATED 24.12.2025 PASSED BY THE LEARNED II ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE AT CHITRADURGA THEREBY REJECTED THE REGULAR BAIL IN CONNECTION WITH CRIME 448/2025 PENDING ON THE FILE OF LEARNED II ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE AT CHITRADURGA DISTRICT FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 64(2)(M), 318(2), 49, 35192), 3(5) OF BHARATHIYA NYAYA SAMHITHA 2023 AND SECTIONS 3 AND 4 OF DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT 1961 AND SECTIONS 3(1)(W)(I), 3(2)(V) OF SC AND ST (PREVENTION OF ATROCITIES) ACT OF 1989, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY. THIS APPEAL, COMING ON FOR ARGUMENTS THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCING / PHYSICAL HEARING, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G BASAVARAJA - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9124 CRL.A No. 2606 of 2025 ORAL JUDGMENT The appellant has preferred this appeal against the order passed by the Special II Additional District and Sessions Judge, Chitradurga in Crime No.448/2025 dated 24.12.2025. 2. The brief facts leading to this appeal are that, on the basis of the complaint filed by victim, Hiriyur Rural Police have registered the case in Crime No.448/2025 against accused Nos.1 to 5 for the offences punishable under Sections 64(2)(m), 318(2), 49, 351(2), 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNS, 2023'); Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and Sections 3(1)(w)(i), 3(2)(V) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. 3. During the course of investigation, Investigating Officer has arrested the accused and produced before the Special Judge, he was remanded to the judicial custody and till this day the accused is in judicial custody. After - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9124 CRL.A No. 2606 of 2025 completion of investigation, the Investigating Officer has submitted the charge sheet against accused Nos.1 to 5 for the offences punishable under Sections 64(2)(m), 318(2), 49, 351(2), 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNS, 2023'); Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and Sections 3(1)(w)(i), 3(2)(V), 3(2)(v-a) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention Of Atrocities) Act, 1989. 4. The appellant/accused No.1 has filed application under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 for grant of anticipatory bail. Same came to be rejected by the Trial Court. Being aggrieved by the rejection of the bail, the appellant/accused No.1 has preferred this appeal. 5. The learned counsel for the appellant/accused No.1 would submit that the alleged incident took place on 19.12.2024 as shown in the FIR. After lapse of nearly 1 year, the present complaint is filed. The appellant/accused No.1 has not committed the offence as alleged by the - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9124 CRL.A No. 2606 of 2025 prosecution. The entire dispute is predominantly matrimonial and civil in nature, arising out of a failed marriage proposal, financial disagreements and strained relationships between the families, which has been given a criminal colour. Since, the investigation is already completed, the accused is not required for custodial interrogation. Further, he would submit that the appellant/accused No.1 has already paid an amount of Rs.15,00,000/- to the complainant. On all these grounds, it is sought to allow this appeal. 6. The learned High Court Government Pleader Sri.Rahul Rai.K., would fairly submitted that as per the instructions of the Investigating Officer, the appellant/accused No.1 has paid an amount of Rs.15,00,000/- to the complainant. 7. I have heard the arguments of both sides. On perusal of materials placed before this Court, the following points would arise for consideration; - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9124 CRL.A No. 2606 of 2025 "Whether the appellant/accused No.1 has made out a ground to allow this appeal?" My answer to the above point is in the affirmative to as per final order. 8. I have examined the materials placed before this Court. The Investigating Officer has submitted the charge sheet against accused Nos.1 to 5 for the commission of offence punishable under Sections 64(2)(m), 318(2), 49, 351(2), 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNS, 2023'); Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and Sections 3(1)(w)(i), 3(2)(V), 3(2)(v-a) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. 9. In column number 17 of the charge sheet, it is stated as under: "17.
ೇನ ಸಂಪ ಾ ಾಂಶ - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9124 CRL.A No. 2606 of 2025 ಾ -01 ರವರು ಪಷ ಾಯ ೋ ಜಾಂಗ
ೆ ೇದವ ಾ!ದು", ಈ $ೋ%ಾ ೋಪ&ಾ ಪ'
ಾಲ0 ನಂ:12 ರ*+ ನಮೂ-ರುವ A-1 ಆ-ೕ/ ¦, A-2 ಪರ0ೕಶ1ರ ಮತು A-4 ೕಾ ರವರುಗಳ4 ಒಕ*ಗ ಜಾಂಗ
ೆ, A-5 $ಾ7ೕ$ಾ8 ರವರು ಾAiÀÄÄØ ಜಾಂಗ
ೆ 9ಾಗೂ A-3 ಅನಸೂಯಮ;ರವರು ಪಷ ಾಯ ೋ ಜಾಂಗ
ೆ ೇದವ ಾ!ರು<ಾ ೆ. ಘನ ಾ>?ಾಲಯದ @ಾ>A Bೆ ಒಳ¥Àಡುವ DತEದುಗF ನಗರದ*+ @ಾ?ಾ!ರುವ ಾ-1 ರವರು ಎH.ಆ8.ಎH
ಾIೇJ ನ*+, ಕತFವ> KವFLಸು ರು@ಾಗ MೇH ಬುO ಮೂಲಕ A-1 ರವರು ¥Àಚಯ@ಾ! ಇಬRರೂ ಒಬRರೊSಬRರು AEೕಸು ರು<ಾ ೆ, ಆಗ A-1 ರವರು ಾ- 1 ರವರನುS ಮದು@ೆ?ಾಗು<ೆ ೕೆಂದು
ೇT$ಾಗ, ಾ-1 ರವರು ನಮ; ಮೆBೆ ಬಂದು LಯರನುS
ೇಳ4 ಎಂದು Tರು<ಾ ೆ. ಆಗ A-1 ರವರು ತನS ತಂ$ೆ <ಾU, ತಂ!, ತಂ$ೆಯ ೆSೕLತಾದ $ಾ7ೕ$ಾ8 ರವರನುS ಕ ೆದು
ೊಂಡು ಬಂದು 9ೆಣುW ೋಡುವ XಾಸY Zಾ[
ೊಂಡು -ಾಂಕ:11.09.2024 ರಂದು ಮದು@ೆ -ಾಂಕವನುS Kಗ-ಪ[
ೊಂಡು 9ೋ!ರು<ಾ ೆ. ನಂತರ 0ೕಲಂಡ ಆ ೋAತರು 15,00,000/- ರೂ\ಾUಯನುS ವರದ] ಹಣ
ೆ ೇ[
ೆ ಇ'ದು", ಾ- 1 ರವರು ತನS ತಂ!?ಾದ ಾ-11 ರವರ ಆ
ೌಂ`Kಂದ 15,00,000/- ರೂ ಹಣವನುS ಆ8.'.a.ಎH ಮೂಲಕ A-1 ರವರ ಆ
ೌಂ`Bೆ ಜZಾ Zಾ[ರು<ಾ ೆ. ನಂತರ -ಾಂಕ: 19.12.2024 ರಂದು ೆTBೆb 80.00 ಗಂcೆBೆ A-1 ರವರು DತEzÀÄಗFದ ಾ-1 ರವರ ಮೆBೆ ಬಂದು ನಮ; BಾEಮ-ಂದ ತನS ಮೆಯವರು ಧಮFಸeಳ
ೆ ಬರು<ಾ ೆಂದು T ಾ-1 ರವರನುS ಧಮFಸeಳ
ೆ ಕ ೆದು
ೊಂಡು 9ೋಗು<ೆ ೕೆಂದು ಾ-9 ರವBೆ T KA- 16-P-3235 ೇ KIA
ಾನ*+ ಾ-1 ರವರನುS ಕ ೆದು
ೊಂಡು 9ೋ!ರು<ಾ ೆ. ಧಮFಸeಳದ*+ $ೇವರ ದಶFನ Zಾ[
ೊಂಡ ನಂತರ ಾ- 1 ರವರು Kಮ; ತಂ$ೆ <ಾU ಇನೂS ಬಂ-ಲ+ ಎಂದು A-1 ರವರನುS - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9124 CRL.A No. 2606 of 2025
ೇಾಗ, ಅವರು ಈಗ ಬರುಾೆ ಾವ ಉದು
ೊಳಲು ಒಂದು ರೂಂ ಬು ಾೋಾ ಾ ಎಂದು !ಾ"-1 ರವ#$ೆ %&ರುಾೆ. ಆಗ !ಾ"- 1 ರವರು ಅದ
ೆ( ಒಪ*ೆ A-1 ರವ#$ೆ ಊ#$ೆ ,ೋ$ೋಾ ಎಂಾ %&ಾಗ A-1 ರವರು ೇವರ ದಶ.ನ ಾ0ದ 1ನ ಆ 2ೇತ4ದ56 ಉದು
ೊಂಡೆ ಒ8ೆಯಾಗುತೆ ಎಂದು %&, ಧಮ.ಸ=ಳದ ಅ%> ಗೃಹದ56 ರೂಂ ಬ$ೆA BCಾ#&ದುD ರೂಂ Eಾ5 ಇಲ61ದD ಪ4ಯುಕ, ಉHIೆ $ಾ4ಮದ ಕೆ$ೆ ,ೋಗುವ ರ!ೆ ಯ56ರುವ ಎJ.
ೆ KಾLM ನ56 ಾ%4 ಉದು
ೊಂ0ರುಾೆ, 1ಾಂಕ:19.12.2024 ರಂದು ಾ%4 12 ಗಂNೆ ಸಮಯದ56 A-1 ರವರು !ಾ"-1 ರವ#$ೆ ಮತು ಬರುವ ತಂಪ OಾPೕಯ ಕು0&ದD#ಂದ ಸುಸು ಮತು ತKೆ ಸುತುವ #ೕ% ಆQದD#ಂದ ಮಲQರುಾ8ೆ, ನಂತರ ಮಧRಾ%4ಯ56 A-1 ರವರು ೆತKಾQ Pಂತು
ೊಂ0ದುD, ಆಗ !ಾ"-1 ರವರು ಭಯ$ೊಂಡು ಅ%>ಗೃಹದ #!ೆಪ*T
ೌಂಟW $ೆ ಕೆ ಾಡಲು ಪ4ಯ%X&ಾಗ A-1 ರವರು !ಾ"-1 ರವರನುX ಮಂಚ
ೆ( ಎ8ೆದು
ೊಂಡು ಹಲZಾರು ಾ# ಬಲವಂತZಾQ ೈ\ಕ ಸಂ]ೋಗ ಾ0ರುಾೆ. A-1 ರವರು !ಾ"-1 ರವ#$ೆ ೈ\ಕ ಸಂ]ೋಗ ಾ0ರುವ ಬ$ೆA ತನX ಕೆ B0^ೕ ಇೆ ಎಂದು ಸುಳ_ ,ೇ !ಾ"-1 ರವ#$ೆ ೆದ#
ೆ ,ಾ`ರುಾೆ, !ಾ"-1 ರವರು ,ಾಗೂ !ಾ"-9 ರವರುಗಳ_ ಮದುZೆ ಾ0
ೊಳ_ವ 1ಾಂಕವನುX Pಗaಪ0ಸುವಂೆ A-1 ಮತು ಅವರ ಕುಟುಂಬದವರನುX
ೇ
ೊಂಾಗ ಹಲವ
ಾರಣಗಳನುX Pೕ0 ಮುಂದೂಡು%ರುಾೆ. ನಂತರ !ಾ"-1 ರವರು ಸಹ ಮದುZೆ 1ಾಂಕವನುX $ೊತುಪ0ಸುವಂೆ ಆೋcತರು ZಾಸBರುವ \#ಯೂರು ಾಲೂ6`ನ ೋCಾಪರ $ಾ4ಮ
ೆ( 1ಾಂಕ: 17.07.2025 ರಂದು ,ೋಾಗ ಮೆಯ56 dಾರೂ ಇಲ1ಾDಗ !ಾ"-1 ರವರನುX A-1 ರವರು ಪಸKಾe& ಬಲವಂತZಾQ ೈ\ಕ ಸಂ]ೋಗ ಾ0ರುಾೆ, ನಂತರ !ಾ"-1 ರವರು ೋB ಜಾಂಗದ ,ೆಣುg ಮಗ8ಾQದD#ಂದ A-1 ರವ#$ೆ !ಾ"-1 ರವರನುX ಮದುZೆ ಾ0
ೊಳ_ವದು ೇಡ ಎಂದು A-2 #ಂದ A- 5 ರವರುಗಳ_ ದುhೆiೕರೆ Pೕ0ರುಾೆ. - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9124 CRL.A No. 2606 of 2025 A-1 ರವ#$ೆ !ಾ"-1 ರವರು ಪ#jಷl mಾ%ಯ ೋB ಜಾಂಗದವರು ಎಂದು $ೊ%ದDರೂ !ಾ"-1 ರವರನುX ಮದುZೆdಾಗುೇೆಂದು ನಂn& ಬಲವಂತZಾQ ಹಲZಾರು ಾ#ೈ\ಕ ಸಂ]ೋಗ ಾ0 oೕಸ ಾ0 !ಾ"-1 ರವರನುX ೈ\ಕ ಸಂ]ೋಗ ಾ0ದ ಬ$ೆA ತನX oೈp ನ56, B0^ೕ ಇೆ ಎಂದು ಸುಳ_ ,ೇ ೆದ#
ೆ ,ಾ`ರುವದು, ವರದ"ೆ ಹಣ
ೆ( ೇ0
ೆ ಇಟುl ಹಣವನುX ಪೆ1ರುವದು ತPEೆeಂದ ಮತು ಾಖKಾ%ಗಂದ A-1 ರವರ rೕKೆ ಆೋಪ !ಾnೕಾದ rೕೆ$ೆ A-1 ರವರ Bರುದs ಕಲಂ : 64(2)(M), 318(2), 351(2) BNS, ಕಲಂ :3, 4 DP Act, ಕಲಂ: 3(1)(w)(i), 3(2)(v), 3(2) (v-a) SC/ST Act-1989 ¥ÀæPÁgÀ ºÁUÀÆ !ಾ"-1 ರವ#$ೆ ವರದ"t ಹಣ
ೆ( A-2 #ಂದ A-5 ರವರುಗಳ_ ೇ0
ೆ ಇulರುವದು ,ಾಗೂ !ಾ"-1 ರವರು !ಾ"-8 ರವರ ಾRಂ Eಾೆeಂದ A-1 ರವರ Eಾೆ$ೆ 15,00,000/- ರೂ ಹಣವನುX ಜಾ ಾ0ರುವದು ,ಾಗೂ !ಾ"-1 ರವರು ೋB ಜಾಂಗದ ,ೆಣುg ಮಗ8ಾQದD#ಂದ A-1 ರವ#$ೆ !ಾ"-1 ರವರನುX ಮದುZೆ ಾ0
ೊಳ_ವದು ೇಡ ಎಂದು A-2 #ಂದ A-5 ರವರುಗಳ_ ದುhೆiೕರೆ Pೕ0ರುವದು ತPEೆeಂದ ,ಾಗೂ !ಾvwxಾರಗಂದ ಆೋಪ !ಾnೕಾದ rೕೆ$ೆ A-2 #ಂದ A-5 ರವರ Bರುದs ಕಲಂ: 3(5), 49 BNS ಮತು ಕಲಂ:3, 4 DP Act ಪ4
ಾರ ಈ ೋhಾೋಪಾ ಪulಯನುX ¸À°è¹
ೊಂ0ರುತೆ" 10. The trial Court has already granted anticipatory bail to accused Nos.2 to 5 in Criminal Miscellaneous Nos.1534/2025 and 1535/2025 dated 13.01.2026. 11. Considering the inordinate delay in filing the complaint, nature and gravity of offences, previous antecedents of the appellant/accused No.1 and payment of - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9124 CRL.A No. 2606 of 2025 Rs.15,00,000/- to the complainant, it is just and proper to allow this appeal. Accordingly, I proceed to pass the following: ORDER Appeal is allowed. i. The impugned order passed by the Special II Additional District and Sessions Judge, Chitradurga in Crime No.448/2025 dated 24.12.2025 is set aside. Consequently application filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 filed on behalf of appellant who is accused No.1, is allowed. ii. The appellant shall be released on bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No.448/2025 of Hiriyur Rural Police on executing a self bond of Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety for the likesum, to the satisfaction of trial Court. iii. Appellant shall not tamper or threaten the prosecution witness in any manner. - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9124 CRL.A No. 2606 of 2025 iv. Appellant shall appear before the trial Court on all the dates of hearing and shall co-operate for the trial. v. Appellant shall assist investigating officer for his investigation. vi. Appellant shall not indulge in the similar offence. Registry is directed to send the copy of this order to the trial Court. Sd/- (G BASAVARAJA) JUDGE CH List No.: 1 Sl No.: 73