- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010410322026 NC: 2026:KHC:40414 CRL.P No. 8720 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 3RD DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 8720 OF 2026 (439(Cr.PC) / 483(BNSS)) BETWEEN: SRI SHASHIDHARA @ SHASHI S/O LATE DASAPPA, AGED ABOUT 21 YEARS, R/AT HONNEKERE VILLAGE, HARALIHALLI POST, HOSADURGA TALUK, CHITRADURGA DISTRICT – 577527. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. S.K. KALLEGOWDA., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA TARIKERE TOWN PS, TARIKERE TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT, REPTD. BY S.P.P. HIGH COURT BUILDING, BENGALURU-560 001. Digitally signed by NANDINI M S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010410322026 NC: 2026:KHC:40414 CRL.P No. 8720 of 2026 2. SMT. LAKSHMI S/O GANGADHARA AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS, R/AT CHOWDESHWARY COLONY, TARIKERE TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT - 577228 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. VINAY MAHADEVAIAH., HCGP FOR R1 SRI. SHASHIKUMAR.D., ADVOCATE FOR SRI. HARSHITHA.S., ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 439 CR.PC (FILED U/S 483 BNSS) BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER PRAYING THAT THIS HONOURABLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN SPL. C.(P) NO.77/2026 REGISTERED IN CRIME NO.0079/2026 BY THE TARIKERE TOWN PS, WHICH IS PENDING ON THE FILE OF ADDL. DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE FTSC-1 AT CHIKKAMAGALURU FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE U/SEC. 351(2) AND 78 OF BNS AND SEC. 18 OF THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT 2012 AND ETC., THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010410322026 NC: 2026:KHC:40414 CRL.P No. 8720 of 2026 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY ORAL ORDER Accused in Spl.C.(P) No.77/2026, pending before the Court of Additional District and Sessions Judge- and FTC-I, Chikkamagaluru, arising out of Crime No.79/2026, registered by Tarikere Town Police Station, Chikkamagaluru, for offences punishable under Sections 8 of POCSO Act, 2012 and Sections 78 and 351(2) of BNS 2023, is before this Court in this petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS 2023, seeking regular bail. 2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties. 3. FIR in Crime No.79/2026 was registered by Tarikere Town Police Station, Chikkamagaluru against the petitioner herein, based on the first information dated 08.04.2026 received from respondent No.2, who is the mother of the alleged victim aged about 17 years 5 - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010410322026 NC: 2026:KHC:40414 CRL.P No. 8720 of 2026 months, as on the date of registration of the report. In the said case, petitioner was arrested on 09.04.2026 and remanded to judicial custody. After completion of the investigation charge sheet is filed against him for the aforesaid offence. His bail application filed before the trial Court in Special Case (P) No.77/2026 was rejected on 12.06.2026. Therefore, he is before this Court. 4. Perusal of the material on record would go to show that, the first information has been submitted in the present case on 08.04.2026 by the mother of the alleged victim with regard to an incident that had taken place on 29.03.2026, wherein the petitioner allegedly had caught hold the hand of the victim girl and pulled the girl, asking her to accompany him. He also allegedly stated that he was willing to marry her and thereafter criminally intimidated the victim and her family members. Statement of the victim girl under Section 183 of BNS 2023 has been recorded in the present case. Victim girl has stated that - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010410322026 NC: 2026:KHC:40414 CRL.P No. 8720 of 2026 petitioner is acquainted to her and she was in love with him, but her family members were not agreeing for their relationship. Therefore, on 27.02.2026 there was a quarrel in the house. Petitioner having no other criminal antecedents is in custody. Investigation of the case is now completed and charge sheet has been filed. Maximum punishment for the alleged offences is imprisonment for a period of 5 years. Under the circumstances, the following ORDER The petition is allowed. The petitioner is directed to be enlarged on bail in Crime No.79/2026, registered by Tarikere Town Police Station, Chikkamagaluru, for offences punishable under Sections 8 of POCSO Act and Sections 78 and 351(2) of BNS 2023, subject to the following conditions: a) Petitioner shall execute personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- with two sureties for the likesum, to the satisfaction of the jurisdictional Court; - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010410322026 NC: 2026:KHC:40414 CRL.P No. 8720 of 2026 b) The petitioner shall appear regularly on all the dates of hearing before the Trial Court unless the Trial Court exempts his appearance for valid reasons; c) The petitioner shall not directly or indirectly threaten or tamper with the prosecution witnesses; d) The petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE KLY List No.: 1 Sl No.: 64