- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010850572025 NC: 2026:KHC:28725 CRL.A No. 2584 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 12TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 2584 OF 2025 (U/S 14(A) (2)) BETWEEN: 1. SRI. LIKHITH D. E, S/O. ESHWARAIAH, AGED ABOUT 21 YEARS, R/O. DABBEGHATTA VILLAGE, KASABA HOBLI, C. N. HALLI TALUK, TUMKURU DISTRICT - 572 214. …APPELLANT (BY SRI. SHIVANANDA REDDY R. V., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY C. N. HALLI POLICE STATION, TUMAKURU, REPTD BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDIGNS, BENGALURU - 560 001. Digitally signed by SUSHMA LAKSHMI B S Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010850572025 NC: 2026:KHC:28725 CRL.A No. 2584 of 2025 2. HEMALATHA D, D/O. DEVARAJU, AGED ABOUT 20 YEARS, R/O. ASHRIYAL VILLAGE, KANDIKERE HOBLI, C. N. HALLI TALUK, TUMAKURU DISTRICT – 572 214. …RESPONDENTS (BY Ms. ASMA KOUSER., ADDL. SPP FOR R1; DE. VIDYA S., ADVOCATE FOR R2) ---- THIS CRL.A IS FILED U/S 14(A)2) OF SC/ST (POA) ACT BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE APPELLANT PRAYING TO ENLARGE HIM ON REGULAR BAIL IN CR.NO.108/2025 OF C.K. HALLI P.S. TUMAKURU AND SPL.C.NO.521/2025 AND SET ASIDE THE ORDER DATED 31.10.2025, IN CRL.MISC.NO.1532/2025, PASSED BY THE III ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, TUMAKURU, FOR THE OFFENCE P/U/S 70(1), 351(2), 61(2) R/W SEC.3(5) OF BNS AND SEC.3(1)(w)(i), 3(2)(va) OF SC/ST ACT. THIS APPEAL, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010850572025 NC: 2026:KHC:28725 CRL.A No. 2584 of 2025 ORAL JUDGMENT 1. This criminal appeal is filed by the appellant/accused No.2 seeking to set aside the order dated 31.10.2025 in Crl.Misc.1532/2025 by the learned III Addl. District and Sessions Judge, Tumakuru and enlarge him on regular bail in Spl.C.No.521/2025 arising out of Cr.No.108/2025 of respondent police, for the offences punishable under Sections 70(1), 351(2), 61(2) read with Section 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and Sections 3(1)(w)(i), 3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (for short ‘SC & ST (POA) Act’) 2. The ranks of the parties will be considered, henceforth as per their rankings before the Trial Court. Factual matrix of the case: 3. The case of the prosecution is that the victim was residing with her parents and she was studying in the I Year B.A. course at the Government First Grade College, - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010850572025 NC: 2026:KHC:28725 CRL.A No. 2584 of 2025 Chikkanayakanahalli. Both the appellant and the victim had known each other for the past one year. During the said period, she was in a relationship with a boy named Suresh. When the appellant invited her to his room, she blocked his mobile number. Accused No. 2, used to visit the house of one Shivamma, who resides in the same village, and through her son-Gangadhara, Accused No. 2 would regularly speak with the victim. 4. On 09.06.2025, while the victim was returning home from Chikkanayakanahalli after her classes, Accused No. 2 followed her and asked her to sit on his motorcycle on the pretext of dropping her home. She refused to accompany him and travelled by bus instead. Somehow, Accused No. 2 approached her again around 10:30 p.m., asked her to come out of her house, and waited for her. She came out of her house under the pretext of talking to him. In the meantime, two other accused persons who were standing there, grabbed her, covered her mouth, and dragged her to a nearby field. Accused No. 1 committed penetrative sexual assault on her, and - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010850572025 NC: 2026:KHC:28725 CRL.A No. 2584 of 2025 Accused No. 2, along with another individual, also committed penetrative sexual assault on the victim. They threatened her not to disclose the incident to anyone. Out of fear, she remained quiet. Thereafter, she had her menstrual periods, and later, having gathered the courage, she informed her parents about the incident. 5. Based on the complaint, the respondent-police registered a case, conducted an investigation, and submitted the charge sheet. 6. Heard Sri. R.V.Shivananda Reddy, learned counsel for the appellant, Ms. Asma Kouser, learned Addl. SPP for respondent No.1 – State and Dr. Vidya S, learned counsel for respondent No.2. 7. The submission of learned counsel for the appellant is that the findings of the Trial Court in rejecting the bail is erroneous and improper for the reasons that the appellant is innocent of the alleged offences and he has been falsely implicated in this case. It is submitted that the - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010850572025 NC: 2026:KHC:28725 CRL.A No. 2584 of 2025 statement of the victim indicates she was aged about 19 years at the time of the incident. 8. It is further submitted that the alleged incident did not occur on the ground that the victim belonged to a Scheduled Caste. Though it is alleged that she was subjected to rape, the fact remains that the medical report discloses that, no external injuries were found on the victim. Having considered this aspect, as well as the delay in lodging the complaint without any satisfactory explanation, the appellant may be enlarged on bail by imposing suitable conditions. The appellant undertakes to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court in the event of his release on bail. Making such submissions, the learned counsel for the appellant prays to allow the appeal. 9. Per contra, the learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent-State vehemently submitted that the act of the appellant and others in committing gang rape on a victim belonging to a Scheduled Caste is a highly - 7 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010850572025 NC: 2026:KHC:28725 CRL.A No. 2584 of 2025 condemnable and unfortunate. The manner in which the victim has narrated about the incident in her complaint clearly discloses the inhuman acts committed by the appellant and the other accused. 10. It is further submitted that in a democratic society, if women belonging to weaker sections are unable to secure protection from society or under the Constitution, it is unfortunate for the entire fraternity. The victim, a college-going girl was taken to a nearby field and subjected to gang rape, which is established not only by medical evidence but also by her own statements. Merely because there is a delay in lodging the complaint, it does not take away the veracity of the entire prosecution case. Therefore, the appellant is not entitled to any relief as prayed for in the appeal. Making such submissions, learned Addl. SPP for respondent No.1 State prays to dismiss the appeal. 11. Having heard learned counsel for the respective parties and on perusal of the averments in the complaint as well - 8 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010850572025 NC: 2026:KHC:28725 CRL.A No. 2584 of 2025 as the charge sheet, it appears that the victim was studying in I Year B.A. course and used to attend college every day. In the meantime, Accused No. 1 developed an intimacy with her. However, he developed intimacy with her on the pretext of treating her like a sister. Later, she fell in love with one Mr. Suresh; however, Accused No. 1 threatened to do away with his life, consequently forcing him to leave her. In the meantime, Accused No. 2 developed intimacy with the victim on the pretext of loving her. Thereafter, it is alleged that Accused Nos. 1 to 3 committed gang rape on her on 09.06.2025. Hence, she lodged a complaint on 08.07.2025. 12. Be that as it may, the alleged incident occurred in an open field. However, the medical report indicates that no external injuries were found either on her body or her private parts. Having considered these facts, this Court deems it appropriate to grant the relief as prayed for. 13. In the light of the observations made above, I proceed to pass the following: - 9 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010850572025 NC: 2026:KHC:28725 CRL.A No. 2584 of 2025 ORDER i) The Criminal Appeal is allowed. ii) The order dated 31.10.2025 in Crl.Misc.1532/2025 by the learned III Addl. District and Sessions Judge, Tumakuru is set aside. (ii) The appellant is ordered to be enlarged on bail in Spl.C.No.521/2025 arising out of Cr.No.108/2025 of respondent police, pending on the file of III Addl. District and Sessions Judge, Tumakuru for the aforesaid offences on executing a personal bond in a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) with one surety for the likesum to the satisfaction of the Trial Court. (iii) The appellant shall not threaten or tamper the prosecution witnesses nor hamper the proceedings of the Court. (iv) The appellant shall appear before the Trial Court on all hearing dates without fail. - 10 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010850572025 NC: 2026:KHC:28725 CRL.A No. 2584 of 2025 (v) The appellant shall not involve in any criminal cases till disposal of the case. In case, the appellant violates any of the bail conditions as stated above, liberty is reserved to the prosecution to file necessary application for cancellation of bail. SD/- (S RACHAIAH) JUDGE JS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 25