- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25224 CRL.P No. 6968 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 21ST DAY OF MAY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. V. ARAVIND CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 6968 OF 2026 BETWEEN: 1. SRI. K. RAMAIAH, S/O LATE S. KEMPAIAH, AGED ABOUT 80 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO.6, I MAIN ROAD, BYATARAYANAPURA, MYSORE ROAD, BANGALORE - 26. 2. SRI. A. KARE THIMMAIAH @ A.K. THIMMAIAH, S/O LATE ARE THIMMAIAH, AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO.61/1, ITI LAYOUT, I MAIN, 5TH CROSS, NAYANDAHALLI WEST, BANGALORE - 39. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. SUBRAMANYA H V., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY KUMBALAGODU POLICE STATION, Digitally signed by VINUTHA B S Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25224 CRL.P No. 6968 of 2026 REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BANGALORE -560 001. 2. SRI. YOGESH V., S/O LATE VENKATESH, AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO.280, BHEEMANAKUPPE CROSS, BENACHAKALLU, KENGERI HOBLI, BANGALORE SOUTH - 560 074. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT.RASHMI PATEL, HCGP FOR R1; R2 DELETED AS PER COURT ORDER DATED 21.05.2026) THIS CRL.P. IS FILED U/S 438 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONERS ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF THEIR ARREST IN CRIME NO.58/2026 OF KUMBALAGODU POLICE FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 108 AND 3(5) OF BNS 2023 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE II ADDL. DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE AND SPECIAL JUDGE, BANGALORE RURAL DISTRICT, BANGALORE AND FURTHER DIRECT THE RESPONDENT NO.1 POLICE TO ADMIT THE PETITIONERS ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF THEIR ARREST IN RESPECT OF ABOVE CRIME FOR THE REASONS STATED ABOVE. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25224 CRL.P No. 6968 of 2026 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. V. ARAVIND ORAL ORDER This criminal petition is filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, 'BNSS') by the petitioners/accused Nos.1 and 2 in Crime No.58/2026 registered by the Kumbalagodu Police Station, Bengaluru City for the offences punishable under Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s) and 3(2)(V) of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and Sections 108 read with 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short, 'BNS') pending on the file of II Addl. District and Sessions Judge and Special Judge, Bengaluru Rural District, Bengaluru. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioners/accused Nos.1 and 2 submits that the petitioners are in no way connected to the alleged offence. It is submitted that the victim committed suicide for personal reasons and not for the reasons alleged in the complaint. *Page Nos.3 to 7 are retyped and replaced vide Chamber order dated 27.05.2026. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25224 CRL.P No. 6968 of 2026 3. Learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for the respondent No.1-State submits that if the petitioners are granted anticipatory bail, they may not co- operate with the investigation and may impede the further investigation or tamper the evidence. 4. Considered the submissions made by learned counsel for the petitioners and learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent No.1-State and also the papers available on record. It is clear from the FIR that the victim was working in a farmhouse owned by the petitioners. However, there are no sufficient materials to indicate that the death of the victim was due to abuse of the petitioners. The complaint has not specified the nature of the abusive words used against the victim so as to provoke the victim to commit suicide. Prima facie, the material available on record is insufficient to attract the alleged offences against petitioners. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25224 CRL.P No. 6968 of 2026 5. Accordingly, the following; Order (i) The criminal petition is allowed. (ii) The petitioners/accused Nos.1 and 2 shall be enlarged on bail in the event of their arrest in Crime No.58/2026 registered by the Kumbalagodu Police Station, Bengaluru City for the offences punishable under Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s) and 3(2)(V) of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and Sections 108 read with 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short, 'BNS') pending on the file of II Addl. District and Sessions Judge and Special Judge, Bengaluru Rural District, Bengaluru, subject to the following conditions. (a) The petitioners/accused Nos.1 and 2 shall appear before the Investigating Officer within fifteen days from the date of - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25224 CRL.P No. 6968 of 2026 receipt of a certified copy of this order and each of them shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) with two sureties for the likesum to the satisfaction of the Investigating Officer; (b) The petitioners shall cooperate with the investigation and shall appear before the Investigating Officer whenever called upon for the purpose of investigation; (c) The petitioners shall not threaten or tamper with the prosecution witnesses; (d) The petitioners shall appear before the trial Court on all hearing dates unless exempted. (e) The petitioners shall not indulge in any criminal activity. - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25224 CRL.P No. 6968 of 2026 In case the petitioners violate any of the above conditions, liberty is reserved to the prosecution to file necessary application for cancellation of bail. Sd/- (K. V. ARAVIND) JUDGE KA List No.: 1 Sl No.: 115 CT: SN