- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:30257 CRL.P No. 4354 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 19TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO.4354 OF 2026 BETWEEN: SANTHOSH KUMAR G.D S/O DHANANJAYA KUMAR G AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS ADVOCATE R/AT WATER TANK ROAD 23RD WARD, HIRIYUR TOWN CHITRADURGA DISTRICT - 577598 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. RAVI H K, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY WOMEN POLICE STATION DAVANAGERE DISTRICT REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU - 560001 …RESPONDENT (BY SMT.RASHMI JADHAV, ADDL. SPP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/SEC.438 (FILED U/S.482 BNSS) CR.P.C BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER PRAYING THAT THIS HONOURABLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO GRANT ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO THE PETITIONER/ACCUSED NO.1 IN THE Digitally signed by CHAITHRA A Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:30257 CRL.P No. 4354 of 2026 EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CRIME NO.80/2025 OF DAVANAGERE WOMEN POLICE STATION, DAVANAGERE DISTRICT, FOR THE OFFENCE P/U/SEC.115(2), 351(2), 352, 54, 318(2) AND 190 OF BNSS, AND SEC.3, 4 OF DP ACT AND SEC.3(1)(r) AND 3(1)(s) OF SC/ST (POA) ACT ON THE FILE OF THE COURT OF DISTRICT SESSIONS JUDGE, DAVANAGERE DISTRICT, DAVANAGERE AND ETC. 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 No.1 in Crime No.80/2025 registered by Davanagere Women Police Station, Davanagere, for offences punishable under Sections 115(2), 352, 351(2), 85, 54, 318(2) and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 is before this Court in this petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 seeking anticipatory bail. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Additional Special Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent - State. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:30257 CRL.P No. 4354 of 2026 3. FIR in Crime No.80/2025 was registered by the Davanagere Women Police Station, Davanagere initially for the offences punishable under Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and Sections 115(2), 351(2), 352, 54, 82(1), 85 and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, as against the petitioner herein and others, based on the first information dated 12.06.2025 received from Smt.Rajeshwari M, who is the wife of the petitioner herein. Apprehending arrest in the said case, the petitioner had filed Criminal Miscellaneous No.449/2025 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail, which was rejected on 27.05.2025 as against him. It is under the circumstances, he is before the Court. 4. Material on record would go to show that the allegations found in the first information against the accused persons are omnibus in nature. First information appears to have been filed after a delay of more than 6 - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:30257 CRL.P No. 4354 of 2026 months. The record would also go to show that first informant was staying separately after the dispute arose between the couple. The petitioner is said to be a practicing advocate. It is not in dispute that petitioner has no other criminal antecedents. The other accused persons in this case have been granted anticipatory bail. Investigation of the case is completed and charge sheet has been filed. Under the circumstances, I am of the opinion that his prayer for grant of anticipatory bail needs to be answered affirmatively, subject to appropriate conditions. 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 petitioner in the event of his arrest in Crime No.80/2025 registered by Davanagere Women Police Station, Davanagere, for offences punishable under Sections 115(2), 352, 351(2), 85, 54, 318(2) and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:30257 CRL.P No. 4354 of 2026 (BNS), 2023 and Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 subject to the following conditions: 1. Petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer within 15 days from the date of receipt of the copy of this order and shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- with two sureties for the likesum to the satisfaction of the investigating officer. 2. Petitioner shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons. 3. Petitioner shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses and he shall co-operate with the police for investigation and appear before them whenever called upon. 4. Petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE NBM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 45