- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31146 CRL.P No. 1244 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 23RD DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 1244 OF 2026 BETWEEN: BHARADWAJ M.V S/O LATE NANJUNDAPPA AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS EDITOR, AKASH HEADLINE (KANNADA DAILY) R/AT AMARAVATHI NAGARA BANGARPET TOWN AND TALUK - 563 114. …PETITIONER (BY SRI BHARATH L, ADV.) AND: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA THROUGH BANGARPET POLICE STATION REP BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU - 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI RANGASWAMY R, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ALLOW THIS CRL.P AND SET ASIDE THE IMPUGNED ORDER DATED 16.06.2025 PASSED BY THE LEARNED III ADDL.DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, KOLAR (SITTING AT KGF) IN CRL.MISC.NO.463/2025. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY Digitally signed by NANDINI M S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31146 CRL.P No. 1244 of 2026 ORAL ORDER 1. Accused in C.C.No.4120 of 2025 pending before the Court of Principal Civil Judge and JMFC, Bangarpet, arising out of Crime No.133 of 2025 registered by Bangarpet Police Station K.G.F. for offences punishable under Sections 75 and 352 of BNS 2023 is before this Court under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023 seeking anticipatory bail. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the parties. 3. FIR in the present case was registered in Crime No.133 of 2025 registered by Bangarpet Police Station K.G.F for the aforesaid offences, based on the first information dated 17.05.2025 received from victim lady, aged about 35 years. Apprehending arrest in the said case petitioner had filed Crl.Misc.No.463 of 2025, which was rejected by the jurisdictional Sessions Court on 16.06.2025. Therefore, he is before this Court. 4. Allegation as against the petitioner in the first information is that on 15.05.2025, he allegedly followed the - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31146 CRL.P No. 1244 of 2026 victim lady and sought sexual favours. When the victim lady objected for the same, he threatened her that he will publish false news against her in his newspaper. In respect of the alleged incident that had taken place on 15.05.2025, belatedly first information was filed on 17.05.2025. 5. The maximum punishment for the alleged offences is imprisonment for a period of three years. Investigation of the case is completed and charge sheet has been filed. Petitioner has undertaken to cooperate with the trial court for early disposal of the case. 6. Considering the aforesaid aspects of the matter, I am of the opinion that the prayer made by the petitioner for grant of anticipatory bail needs to be granted. 7. 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 C.C.No.4120 of 2025 pending before the Court of - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31146 CRL.P No. 1244 of 2026 Principal Civil Judge and JMFC, Bangarpet, arising out of Crime No.133 of 2025 registered by Bangarpet Police Station K.G.F. for offences punishable under Sections 75 and 352 of BNS, 2023 subject to the following conditions: 1. The petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer in the present case within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order on executing 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/jurisdictional Court. 2. The petitioner shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons. 3. The petitioner shall not tamper with the prosecution witness and he shall co-operate with the Police for investigation and appear before them whenever called upon. 4. The petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE NMS/List No.: 1 Sl No.: 6