- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12546 CRL.P No. 952 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 2ND DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH CRIMINAL PETITION NO.952 OF 2026 BETWEEN: RONALD R. GONSALVES S/O. RABART L. GONSALVES NOW AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS R/AT NO.7/943 ‘A’ NEW KURUBASTREET KOLLEGALA TOWN CHAMARAJANAGARA DISTICT-571 440 …PETITIONER (BY SRI K. A. CHANDRASHEKARA, ADVOCATE) AND: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY THE POLICE OF KUMARASWAMY LAYOUT POLICE STATION BENGALURU CITY-560 111 REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU-560 001 …RESPONDENT (BY SRI RANGASWAMY R., H.C.G.P.) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 (FILED U/S.482 BNSS) CR.P.C. PRAYING TO GRANT HIM ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CRIME NO.312/2025 OF KUMARASWAMY LAYOUT POLICE Digitally signed by SREEDHARAN BANGALORE SUSHMA LAKSHMI Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12546 CRL.P No. 952 of 2026 STATION, BENGALURU CITY, NOW PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE LEARNED 30TH ACJM, BENGALURU REGISTERED FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 318(4), 351(2) AND 61(2) READ WITH SECTION 3(5) OF BNS 2023. THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH ORAL ORDER 1. This petition is filed by the petitioner who is arrayed as accused No.3 in Crime No.312/2025 filed by the Respondent-Police seeking for anticipatory bail for the offences punishable under Section 318(4), 351(2) read with 3(5), 61(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Factual matrix of the case: 2. The case of the prosecution is that the informant is a Medical Officer at Appollo Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore. He was induced by accused No.1, a Canteen Manager at the same hospital. Accused Nos.2 and 3 were projected as if, they were the business men involving in the business of “iridium rare - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12546 CRL.P No. 952 of 2026 metal”. The said metal was purported to be used in space technology and claimed that it possesses astronomical commercial value. The complainant after believing their version, had invested huge amount of Rs.70,00,000/- (Rupees Seventy Lakhs) with the accused Nos.1 and 2. 3. Heard Sri. K.A. Chandrashekara, learned counsel for the petitioner Sri. Rangaswamy R., learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent. 4. It is alleged against the petitioner/accused No.3 that, the petitioner was acted as a Scientist and he has certified that the said metal as one of the rarest of rare materials. 5. It is further stated that based on the oral certification of the petitioner, it is alleged that the complainant had invested huge amount. However, no documents are produced to demonstrate that the petitioner had certified the material as alleged. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12546 CRL.P No. 952 of 2026 6. The petitioner is innocent of the alleged offences and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He may be enlarged on bail by imposing suitable conditions. Making such submissions learned counsel for the petitioner prays to allow the petition. 7. Per Contra, the learned High Court Government Pleader respondent - State vehemently submitted that the complainant had invested huge amount with accused No.1 and the wife of accused No.2 on account of oral certification given by the petitioner/accused No.3, who acted as the Scientist. 8. It is further submitted that accused Nos.1 to 3, in furtherance of common intention to deceive the complainant had induced him and made him to invest huge amount and cheated him. Therefore, the petition has to be rejected. 9. Heard learned counsel for the respective parties and perused the averments made in the complaint. The - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12546 CRL.P No. 952 of 2026 learned counsel for the petitioner has furnished the bail order granted to accused Nos.1 and 2 by the Trial Court. On considering the said bail order granted by the Trial Court and also on considering the nature and circumstances of the case, it is appropriate to grant bail without adverting the merits of the case. 10. Hence I proceed to pass the following: ORDER i. This Criminal Petition is allowed. ii. The petitioner is enlarged on bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No.312/2025 of respondent – Police for the offences punishable under Section 318(4), 351(2) read with 3(5), 61(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, on executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety for the like sum of the satisfaction of the Trial Court. - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12546 CRL.P No. 952 of 2026 iii. The petitioner shall not commit any similar offence till disposal of the present case. iv. The petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer within a period of 01 (one) month from today to execute the warrant and also to furnish the warrant. v. The petitioner shall appear before the trial Court on all hearing dates. vi. The petitioner shall not tamper the prosecution witnesses. In case, if, the petitioner violates any of the conditions stated above, liberty is reserved to the prosecution to take appropriate steps for cancellation of the bail. Sd/- (S RACHAIAH) JUDGE NM