- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:27841 CRL.P No. 7059 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 7059 OF 2026 (438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)) BETWEEN: 1. JAGADEESH K S S/O LATE SIDDEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS, R/AT KOTEVOOR VILLAGE, CHIKKAMAGALURU TALUK AND DIST-577101. 2. PRAVEENA, S/O BHASKAREGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS, R/AT HEDADAL VILLAGE, KUDUVALI VILLAGE, CHIKKAMAGALURU TALUK AND DIST-577101. 3. DINESHA C.R, S/O LATE C.T. RUDREGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS, R/AT CHIKKAMAGARAVALLI VILLAGE, ALDUR POST, CHIKKAMAGALURU TALUK AND DIST-577101. 4. BHASKARACHARI A.P, S/O PUTTACHARI, AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS, ANOOR VILLAGE, Digitally signed by JUANITA THEJESWINI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:27841 CRL.P No. 7059 of 2026 CHIKKAMAGALURU TALUK AND DIST-577101. 5. SATHISHA H.T., S/O LATE THAMMANEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS, R/AT HARANAHALLI, ANOOR, CHIKKAMAGALURU TALUK AND DIST-577101. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. GIRISH B BALADARE., ADVOCATE) AND: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY ALDUR POLICE STATION, CHIKKAMAGALURU, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING BANGALORE - 560 001 …RESPONDENT (BY SRI.VINAY MAHADEVAIAH, HCGP) THIS CRL.P. IS FILED U/S 438 CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING THAT THIS HONOURABLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO THE RELEASE OF THE PETITIONERS ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF THEIR ARREST IN CRIME NO.55/2026 REGISTERED BY ALDUR POLICE STATION, CHIKKAMAGALURU, AGAINST THE PETITIONERS FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 108, 190 OF BNS, 2023, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE PRL. CIVIL JUDGE (JR.DN) AND JMFC COURT, CHIKKAMAGALURU DIST. CHIKKAMGALURU AND ETC. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:27841 CRL.P No. 7059 of 2026 THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY ORAL ORDER Accused Nos.2 to 6 in Crime No.55/2026 registered by Aldur Police Station, Chikkamagaluru District, for the offence punishable under Sections 108 and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short, 'BNS', 2023) are before this Court in this criminal petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking anticipatory bail. 2. Heard the learned Counsel for the petitioners and learned High Court Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the respondent - State. 3. FIR in Crime No.55/2026 was registered by Aldur Police Station, Chikkamagaluru District, against the petitioners for the aforesaid offences on the basis of the first information dated 18.03.2026 received from Chandu H.R., S/o Ramesha, who is son of the deceased-Ramesha. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:27841 CRL.P No. 7059 of 2026 Apprehending arrest in the said case, the petitioners herein who are arraigned as accused Nos.2 to 6 had filed Crl.Misc.No.194/2026 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court and the same was rejected as against the petitioners herein on 16.04.2026. Therefore, the petitioners are before this Court 4. Learned counsel for the petitioners having reiterated the grounds urged in the petition, prays to allow the petition. 5. Per contra, learned HCGP has opposed the bail petition and submits that custodial interrogation of the petitioners is very much necessary, having regard to the allegations found in the first information. Accordingly, prays to dismiss the petition. 6. Perusal of the material on record would go to show that the deceased has committed suicide on 15.03.2026 and thereafter, the jurisdictional police had registered a criminal case under UDR No.04/2026. Subsequently, on 18.03.2026 the son of the deceased has approached the - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:27841 CRL.P No. 7059 of 2026 jurisdictional police and submitted a typed complaint alleging that in the pant pocket of the deceased he has found a 'death note' and in it, it was stated that the deceased was not paid salary for the last 11 months. The accused persons named in the FIR were demanding money from him, which he was due to pay them. The allegations found in the first information are not sufficient to prima facie attract the offence punishable under Section 108 of BNS, 2023. Petitioners have no criminal antecedents. Under the circumstances, I am of the opinion that the prayer made by the petitioners for grant of anticipatory bail is required to be answered affirmatively. Accordingly, the following: ORDER The Criminal Petition is allowed. The Respondent - Police or any other police in the State of Karnataka are directed to release the petitioners in the event of their arrest in Crime No.55/2026 registered by Aldur Police Station, - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:27841 CRL.P No. 7059 of 2026 Chikkamagaluru District, for the offence punishable under Sections 108 and 190 of the BNS, 2023, subject to the following conditions: 1. The Petitioners shall appear before the Investigating Officer within 15 days from the date of receipt of the copy of this order and shall execute personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (one lakh only) each with two sureties for the likesum to the satisfaction of the Investigating Officer. 2. Petitioners shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons. 3. Petitioners shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses and they shall co- operate with the police for investigation and appear before them whenever called upon. 4. The petitioners shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE DL List No.: 1 Sl No.: 13