- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:32599 CRL.P No. 7079 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 1ST DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 7079 OF 2026 (438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)) BETWEEN: 1. B H RAVINDRA S/O B. S. HOOVANNAGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS, R/O SOMPURA, THUMBADEVANAHALLI VILLAGE, BELUR TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 115 2. CHIDANANDA, S/O SHANMUKHASHETTY, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, R/O NARVEY, UDDAMMANAHALLI, BELUR TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT - 273 127 …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. GIRISH B BALADARE, ADVOCATE) AND: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY SAKALESHPURA RURAL POLICE STATION, SAKALESHPURA - 573 134. REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING BANGALORE -01 …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. VINAY MAHADEVAIAH, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ORDER FOR THE RELEASE OF THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CRIME Digitally signed by BHARATHI S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:32599 CRL.P No. 7079 of 2026 NO. 37/2026. THE CASE IS REGISTERED BY SAKALESHPURA RURAL POLICE STATION, SAKALESHPURA, AGAINST THE PETITIONERS FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 318(2), 316(2), 306 OF BNS 2023, PENDING ON THE FILE OF II ADDL. DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, HASSAN. 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 Nos.1 and 2 in Crime No.37/2026 registered by Sakaleshpura Rural Police Station, Hassan for offences punishable under Section 318(2), 316(2), 306 of BNS, 2023 are before this Court in this petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023 seeking anticipatory bail. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the parties. 3. FIR in Crime No.37/2026 was registered by Sakaleshpura Rural Police Station, Hassan for the aforesaid offences against the petitioners herein based on the first information dated 14.03.2026 received from Pruthvinarayana, who is the owner of the Bar and Restaurant in which the petitioners were working. Apprehending arrest in the case, petitioners had filed Crl.Misc.No.272/2026 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:32599 CRL.P No. 7079 of 2026 which was rejected on 07.04.2026. Therefore, they are before this Court. 4. Perusal of the typed first information dated 14.03.2026 would reveal that accused persons were working as Cashier and Assistant Cashier in the Bar and Restaurant of the first informant at Sakaleshpur for the last nearly about 3 years. Allegation in the first information is that on 08.03.2026, the accused persons had committed theft of liquor worth ₹7,36,265/- and also cold drinks worth about ₹28,000/- from the Bar and Restaurant and had escaped. In respect of the alleged incident said to have taken place on the intervening night of 08.03.2026 and 09.03.2026, first information is belatedly submitted on 14.03.2026. 5. Learned counsel for the petitioners has submitted that for extraneous reasons, petitioners have been arrayed as accused in the present case and they are ready and willing to cooperate with the police for the purpose of investigation. Considering the nature of allegations found in the first information as well as the delay of nearly five days in approaching the police, I am of the opinion that the prayer made by the petitioners for grant of - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:32599 CRL.P No. 7079 of 2026 anticipatory bail needs to be answered affirmatively. Hence, 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 their arrest in Crime No.37/2026 registered by Sakaleshpura Rural Police Station, Hassan for the offences punishable under Sections 318(2), 316(2), 306 of 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 a 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. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:32599 CRL.P No. 7079 of 2026 3. Petitioners 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 petitioners shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE BS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 76