- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15403 CRL.P No. 392 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 16TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH CRIMINAL PETITION NO.392 OF 2026(438(Cr.PC)/ 482(BNSS)) BETWEEN: SRI. GURURAJA S., S/O. SIDDAIAH. G, AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, R/AT KALIKERE, AMBADAHALLI, VIRUPAKSHAPURA HOBLI, BENGALURU SOUTH DISTRICT, PIN-562 138. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. RAMAKRISHNA A.V., ADVOCATE) AND: STATE BY IJOOR POLICE STATION, REPTD. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, HIGH COURT BUILDING, 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 ENLARGE HIM ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN CR.NO.100/2025 OF IJOOR P.S., FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 25,3,7 OF ARMS ACT, 1959, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE Digitally signed by SREEDHARAN BANGALORE SUSHMA LAKSHMI Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15403 CRL.P No. 392 of 2026 PRL. CIVIL JUDGE (SR.DN) AND CJM COURT, AT RAMANAGARA DISTRICT, RAMANAGAR AND DIRECT THE RESPONDENT POLICE TO RELEASE HIM ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF THIS ARREST IN THE SAID CR.NO, THE PRINCIPAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, RAMANAGARA HAS REJECTED THE BAIL PETITION ON 11.12.2025 IN CRL.MISC.NO.1076/2025 AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH ORAL ORDER The petitioner is arrayed as accused No.3 seeking anticipatory bail in Crime No.100/2025 filed by the respondent/police for the offence punishable under Sections 25, 3 and 7 of Arms Act, 1959. 2. The case of the prosecution is that the PSI, who was working at Ijoor Police Station, received credible information on 09.11.2025 at about 6.00 p.m. that accused No.1, who was residing in a rented house belonging to Shivamma, had illegal arms/weapons in the said house. On receiving the said information, the complainant obtained permission from his higher officers - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15403 CRL.P No. 392 of 2026 and went to the spot along with his staff and persons, proceeded to the house of accused No.1 at about 6.30 p.m. Thereafter, he conducted a search and seized the weapon found in the possession of accused No.1. On enquiry, the said accused No.1 had informed the complainant that he had purchased the said weapon from accused No.2. Thereafter, a case came to be registered against the accused No.1 in the FIR and conducting the investigation. 3. The submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner is that the petitioner is innocent of the alleged offences. In the voluntary statement of accused No.1, he stated that he had purchased the said weapon from accused No.2 for a sum of Rs.10,000/-. The said weapon was seized along with iron bullets. However, the name of the present petitioner does not find a place either in the FIR or in the complaint. The name of this petitioner has been invoked based on the voluntary statement of accused No.2, who, in fact, obtained bail from the Trial Court and - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15403 CRL.P No. 392 of 2026 appeared before the respondent/police for investigation. The petitioner is innocent of the alleged offences, and he will abide by the conditions imposed by this Court. Making such a submission, learned council prayed to allow the petition. 4. Per contra, the learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent/State vehemently submitted that the weapon of which the respondent/police have seized is having no valid license and it has been purchased by accused No.1 from accused No.2. In fact, accused No.2 had made his voluntary statement before the respondent/police that he, in fact, had purchased the said weapon from accused No.3. Therefore, the investigation is required to be carried out to unearth the chain link. Under such circumstances, it is not appropriate to grant bail. Making such a submission, learned High Court Government Pleader prayed to reject the petition. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15403 CRL.P No. 392 of 2026 5. Heard the learned counsel for the respective parties and perused the averments of the complaint and also the case diary made available by the learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent/State. 6. It appears that the accused No.2, after obtaining the bail from the Trial Court, appeared before the respondent/ police, and made his voluntary statement that he had purchased the Arms from accused No.3. It appears that the accused No.2 has been granted anticipatory bail. Considering the said aspect, it is appropriate to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner by imposing suitable conditions that would take care of apprehension of the prosecution. Hence, I proceed to pass the following. ORDER i) The petition is allowed. ii) The petitioner is ordered to be enlarged on bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No.100/2025 filed by the respondent/police for - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15403 CRL.P No. 392 of 2026 the offences punishable under Sections 25, 3 and 7 of Arms Act, 1959 pending on the file of the learned Principal Civil Judge (Sr Dvn.) and CJM Court at Ramanagara District, Ramanagar, on executing personal bond in a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety for the likesum to the satisfaction of the Investigating Officer. iii) The petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer within one month from today to execute a personal bond and also to furnish surety. iv) The petitioner shall co-operate with the investigation as and when it is required till filing of the final report. v) The petitioner shall not leave the jurisdiction of the court till disposal of the case. vi) The petitioner shall appear before the Trial Court on all hearing cases. vii) The petitioner shall not commit any criminal case till disposal of the case. - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15403 CRL.P No. 392 of 2026 In case the petitioner violates any of the bail conditions as stated above, liberty is reserved to the prosecution to file a necessary application for cancellation of bail. Sd/- (S RACHAIAH) JUDGE BKM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 19