- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31408 CRL.P No. 5556 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 24TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 5556 OF 2026 (438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)) BETWEEN: VINAY M S/O LATE MANJUNATH AGED ABOUT 23 YEARS R/O AMBLIGOLA VILLAGE KASABA HOBALI, SHIKARIPURA TALUK. SHIVAMOGGA DISTRICT-577427. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. PARAMESHWARAPPA M.V., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE BY SHIRALAKOPPA PS REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU-560001. 2. SHEKARAPPA S/O GIDDAPPA AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS R/O YEREKOPPA VILLAGE AMBLIGOLA POST SHIKARIPURA TALUK SHIVAMOGGA DISTRICT-577427. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. VINAY MAHADEVAIAH, HCGP FOR R-1; VIDE ORDER DATED 24.06.2026 R-2 IS HELD SUFFICIENT) Digitally signed by NANDINI M S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31408 CRL.P No. 5556 of 2026 THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.438 (FILED U/S.482 BNSS) CR.P.C PRAYING TO GRANT ANTICIPATORY BAIL BY DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT POLICE TO ENLARGE HIM ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CRIME NO.60/2026 OF SHIRALAKOPPA POLICE STATION FOR AN ALLEGED OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 8 AND 12 OF POCSO ACT AND SECTION 108 OF BNS ACT ON THE FILE OF THE HON'BLE ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE FTSC-1 AT SHIVAMOGGA 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 1. Accused in Crime No.60/2026 registered by Shiralakoppa Police Station, Shivamogga for offences punishable under Sections 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 ( for short 'POCSO Act') and Sections 108 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (for short 'BNS 2023') is before this Court in this petition filed under Sections 482 of BNSS 2023, seeking anticipatory bail. 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned HCGP on behalf for Respondent No.1- State. Respondent No.2 who is served in the matter has remained unrepresented before this Court. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31408 CRL.P No. 5556 of 2026 3. FIR in Crime No.60/2026 was registered by Shiralakoppa Police Station, Shivamogga for offences punishable under Sections 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act and Sections 108 of BNS 2023 against the petitioner herein, based on the first information dated 04.03.2026, received from Respondent No.2, who is the father of the deceased victim, who was aged about 17 years 2 months as on the said date. Apprehending arrest in the case, petitioner had filed Criminal Misc.No.262/2026, which was rejected by the jurisdictional Sessions Court on 26.03.2026. Therefore, he is before this Court. 4. In the first information which is submitted by the father of the deceased victim, he has stated that his minor daughter was staying in a hostel and pursuing her first year diploma course in a Polytechnic College at Shiralakoppa. On 25.02.2026, he was informed that his daughter had consumed poison in her hostel room and was admitted to hospital. It appears that subsequently on 03.03.2026, the victim girl who had consumed poison had died in the hospital while undergoing treatment. Thereafter, on 04.03.2026, her father has approached the - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31408 CRL.P No. 5556 of 2026 police and submitted first information, based on which the FIR has been registered against the petitioner. 5. In the first information, it is stated that victim girl was in love with the petitioner and they were found roaming in a bike together. Subsequently, petitioner had distanced himself from the victim girl and therefore, the victim girl had consumed poison and committed suicide. Investigation of the case is now completed and charge sheet is filed. Even in the charge sheet, similar allegation is found as against the petitioner. There is no mention of any such act either in the first information or in the charge sheet, which was committed by the petitioner, immediately prior to deceased committing suicide, which would have either abetted or instigated her to commit suicide. Necessary ingredients so as to invoke the alleged offences as against the petitioner are, prima-facie not found. Petitioner aged 23 years, has no other criminal antecedents. He has undertaken to co-operate before the trial Court for the purpose of speedy disposal of the case. 6. Under the circumstances, I am of the opinion that the prayer made by the petitioner for grant of anticipatory bail - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31408 CRL.P No. 5556 of 2026 needs to be answered affirmatively subject to appropriate conditions. Accordingly, the following: ORDER The 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.60/2026 registered by Shiralakoppa police station for the offences Sections 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act and Sections 108 of BNS, 2023 subject to the following conditions: i. The 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/- (One lakh only) with two sureties for the likesum to the satisfaction of the concerned Court. ii. Petitioner shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons. iii. Petitioner shall not tamper with the prosecution witness and he shall co- - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31408 CRL.P No. 5556 of 2026 operate with the police for investigation and appear before them whenever called upon. iv. The petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE BS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 54 - D-24.06.2026