- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010397972026 NC: 2026:KHC:37731 CRL.P No. 8369 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 22ND DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 8369 OF 2026 BETWEEN: SMT. SOUNDARI, W/O PADMANABHAN D., AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS, R/AT NO.27B, BALAJI NAGAR, 9TH STREET, REDDY CRICKET GROUND, SANTHOSAPURAM, VENGAIVASAL, SELAIYUR, KANCHEEPURAM, TAMIL NADU - 600 073. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SANTHOSH A, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY BENGALURU CEN CRIME POLICE STATION, BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT, REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT COMPLEX, BENGALURU - 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RANGASWAMY R, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNNS) PRAYING TO GRANT ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO THE PETITIONER IN CRIME NO.28/2026 REGISTERED BY Digitally signed by NANDINI M S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010397972026 NC: 2026:KHC:37731 CRL.P No. 8369 of 2026 BENGALURU CEN CRIME POLICE STATION FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 66(C) AND 66(D) OF THE IT ACT 2008 AND SECTIONS 318(4) OF BNS 2023 IN THE EVENT OF HER ARREST BY THE RESPONDENT POLICE. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY ORAL ORDER The petitioner, who is apprehending arrest in Crime No.28/2026 registered by Bengaluru CEN Crime Police Station, Bengaluru District, for the offences punishable under Sections 66(D) and 66(C) of the Information Technology Act, 2008 and under Sections 319(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, is before this Court in this petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking anticipatory bail. 2. Heard learned counsel appearing for the parties. 3. FIR in Crime No.28/2026 was registered by Bengaluru CEN Crime Police Station, Bengaluru District, for the aforesaid offences against the petitioner herein based on the first - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010397972026 NC: 2026:KHC:37731 CRL.P No. 8369 of 2026 information dated 13.03.2026 received from one Uma Mageshwari V, who is the alleged victim in the present case. Apprehending arrest in the said case, the petitioner filed Crl.Mis.No.684/2026 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court, which was rejected on 28.04.2026. Therefore, she is before this Court. 4. Perusal of the material on record would go to show that the petitioner is a married lady, aged about 51 years. It appears that the petitioner and the alleged victim are known to each other. The learned counsel for the petitioner has produced certain photographs and has submitted that the petitioner and the victim lady are found together in the said photographs. 5. In the first information, it is alleged that at the instance of the petitioner, the first informant, who was searching for an online job, had invested altogether a sum of ₹22,59,997/- on installments in various bank accounts for the purpose of investment in the company of the petitioner. Allegation in the first information is that the petitioner had not given the assured returns nor had she repaid the amount - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010397972026 NC: 2026:KHC:37731 CRL.P No. 8369 of 2026 invested by the first informant in her company. The petitioner has undertaken to cooperate with the police for the purpose of investigation. Alleged offences are triable by the Court of Magistrate and the maximum punishment for the same is imprisonment for a period of Seven Years. Considering the nature of allegations found against the petitioner in the first information and also the material that is produced along with the petition, I am of the opinion that the prayer made by the petitioner for grant of anticipatory bail needs to be answered in the affirmative. Hence, the following: ORDER (i) The petition is allowed. (ii) The respondent – Police or any other police in the State of Karnataka are directed to release the petitioner in the event of her arrest in Crime No.28/2026 registered by Bengaluru CEN Crime Police Station, Bengaluru District, for the offences punishable under Sections 66(D) and 66(C) of the Information Technology Act, 2008 and under Sections 319(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, subject to the following conditions: - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010397972026 NC: 2026:KHC:37731 CRL.P No. 8369 of 2026 a) The petitioner shall appear before the investigation officer in the present case on 30.07.2026 at 10:30 a.m., and on the said date, the investigation officer is at liberty to take the petitioner into custody for the purpose of interrogation. However, it is made clear that on the same day, on or before 06.00 p.m., the petitioner shall be released from custody subject to her executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.2,00,000/- with two sureties (one local surety) for the likesum to the satisfaction of the investigation officer. b) Petitioner shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons. c) Petitioner shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses and they shall co-operate with the police for investigation and appear before them whenever called upon. d) The petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE HDK List No.: 1 Sl No.: 43