- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19327 CRL.P No. 11999 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 8TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 11999 OF 2025 BETWEEN: 1. SRI RAMEGOWDA S/O LATE BORRIAH, AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS, R/AT NO.53/7, 2ND CROSS, 15TH MAIN, NANDINI LAYOUT, BANGALORE - 560096. 2. SRI MALLIKARJUNA., S/O K.SIDDALINGAIAH, AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS, R/AT NO.51, SY. NO.77, DODDABAILAKERE, KASAGHATTAPURA HOBLI, BANGALORE - 560 090. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI KUMAR DYAVAPATNA, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY BY SHESHADRIPURAM P.S, SHESHADRIPURAM BANGALORE CITY REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, BENGALURU …RESPONDENT (BY SRI RANGASWAMY R, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER PRAYING THAT THIS HONOURABLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO ORDER AND DIRECT THE RESPONDENT, SHESHADRIPURAM POLICE, IN CR.NO.22/2022 TO RELEASE THE PETITIONERS ON PRE ARREST BAIL IN THE EVENT OF THEIR ARREST BY THE Digitally signed by PRAMILA G V Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19327 CRL.P No. 11999 of 2025 RESPONDENT POLICE FOR O/P/U/S 409,420,465,471,472,468 AND 120B R/W 34 OF IPC AND ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE ORAL ORDER This petition is filed under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1972 seeking anticipatory bail. 2. The petitioners were former employees of the Bangalore Development Authority and now they have attained the age of superannuation. The complaint is filed in CR No. 22/2022, Sheshadripuram Sub-Divisional Police Station alleging offence under Sections 409, 420, 465, 471, 472, 468, 120-B read with Section 34 Indian Penal Code. 3. The prosecution alleges that the petitioners who were the employees of Bengaluru Development Authority have colluded with the certain persons who are part of land mafia and have unauthorisedly transferred the property belonging to Bengaluru Development Authority. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioners/accused would submit that the petitioners are not named in the complaint and - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19327 CRL.P No. 11999 of 2025 later, pursuant to the order of the Bengaluru Development Authority, sanction is obtained to prosecute the petitioners and in this context, an application is filed before the Sessions Court, Bengaluru seeking anticipatory bail. In terms of the order dated 14.02.2025 in Criminal Misc.No.835/2025, the petitioners' application seeking anticipatory bail is rejected. 5. Learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that on the previous hearing, the predecessor of this Court directed the learned Government Advocate to furnish the charge sheet, if any filed. 6. Learned counsel for the petitioners has filed a memo before this Court enclosing the charge sheet in the aforementioned proceeding. In the said charge sheet the petitioners are arrayed as accused No.5 and 6. 7. Learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that during the pendency of this petition, the petitioners have co-operated with the investigation has approached the police station as and when they were asked to attend the Police Station and investigation is over. All the materials are collected and charge sheet is filed. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19327 CRL.P No. 11999 of 2025 8. Learned counsel for the petitioners would also submit that summons has been issued to the petitioners by the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court and the petitioners have sought exemption for a day to engage an advocate. The petitioners would also submit that the investigation is completed and custodial interrogation is not required and bail be granted to the petitioners. 9. Learned High Court Government Pleader would urge that the charge sheet is filed after thorough investigation and there are enough materials on record to show that the petitioners are involved in this offence wherein they have caused loss of Rs.1,47,72,000/-. It is further submitted there are 15 cases registered against the petitioners. It is submitted that in other cases the charge sheets are also filed. 10. Learned Counsel for the petitioners would submit that in other cases of similar nature, bail is granted to the petitioners. 11. After going through the materials placed on record, the Court is of the view that the offence alleged in respect of the immoveable property and transactions are duly recorded in - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19327 CRL.P No. 11999 of 2025 the documents and documents are said to have been collected from Bengaluru Development Authority. Charge sheet is filed. Custodial interrogation is not required. 12. This Court is of the view that the petition has to be allowed and anticipatory bail has to be granted. 13. Hence the following: ORDER (i) Criminal Petition is allowed. (ii) The petitioners shall appear before the Trial Court and furnish the bail bond to the satisfaction of the Trial Court. (iii) The petitioners shall abide by the conditions imposed by the Trial Court. (iv) The petitioners shall appear before the Trial Court on the next date of hearing, to furnish the bail. Sd/- (ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE) JUDGE BRN List No.: 3 Sl No.: 1