- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010451552026 NC: 2026:KHC:42414 CRL.P No. 9667 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 11TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 9667 OF 2026 (438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)-) BETWEEN: SANDEEP REDDY S/O LATE LAXMANREDDY, AGED ABOUT 28 YEARS. R/AT 8-13, GONGATIPALLI VILLAGE, LEPAKSHI MANDALAM, HINDUPURA TALUK, ANANTHAPURA DISTRICT-515331. ALSO, R/AT YOLLODU VILLAGE, GUDIBANDE TALUK, CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTRICT KARNATAKA -561209 …PETITIONER (BY SRI.H.S. GAVRAV,ADVOCATE FOR SRI. RANGANATH REDDY, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE BY GUDIBANDE POLICE CIRCLE OFFICE CHIKKABALLUPURA, REPRESENTED BY HCGP (HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA) PIN CODE-560001 …RESPONDENT Digitally signed by NANDINI M S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010451552026 NC: 2026:KHC:42414 CRL.P No. 9667 of 2026 (BY SRI. RASHMI JADHAV, ADDL. SPP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN CRIME NO. 017/2026 DATED 29.01.2026 REGISTERED AT GUDIBANDE POLICE STATION, CHIKKABALLAPURA, PENDING BEFORE THE PRL. CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC IN C.C. NO. 594/2026 FOR OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 20B OF THE NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ACT, 1985 AND ETC., 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 No.4 in Crime No.17/2026 registered by Gudibande Police Station, Chickballapura, for offence punishable under Section 20B of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 [NDPS Act], is 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.17/2026 was registered by Gudibande Police Station, Chickballapura, for the aforesaid offence against Sharath and others based on the first information received on - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010451552026 NC: 2026:KHC:42414 CRL.P No. 9667 of 2026 29.01.2026 from Munikrishna, Police Officer attached to Gudibande Police Station, Chickballapura. Apprehending arrest in the said case, the petitioner had filed Crl.Misc.No.122/2026 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court, which was rejected on 17.03.2026. Therefore, he is before this Court. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner, who is arrayed as an accused has no other criminal antecedents. Accused Nos.1 to 3 have been granted regular bail in the present case by this Court. Seizure of contraband article is only from accused Nos.1 to 3. Accordingly, he prays to allow the petition. 5. Per contra, learned Addl.SPP, who has opposed the petition, does not dispute the submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner. 6. FIR in the present case was registered against Sharath and others by the first informant, who after receiving credible information had conducted a raid to the alleged spot where the accused persons were attempting to sell the contraband article to the public. Accused Nos.1 to 3 were apprehended at the spot and according to the prosecution, accused No.4 had - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010451552026 NC: 2026:KHC:42414 CRL.P No. 9667 of 2026 managed to escape. Investigation of the case is completed and charge sheet is filed. The contraband article allegedly ganja totally weighing 3 kgs., 100 gms., has been recovered and seized under a panchanama in the present case. Recovery of contraband article is only from the possession of accused Nos.1 to 3. As per the charge sheet allegation, the petitioner was not present at the spot and when the police had raided, he had gone to his village. Accused Nos.1 to 3 have been granted regular bail in the present case in Crl.P.No.3359/2026 and Crl.P.No.4035/2026. 7. Under the said circumstances, I am of the opinion that the prayer made by the petitioner for grant of anticipatory bail needs to be answered affirmatively subject to appropriate conditions. Accordingly, the following: ORDER Criminal 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 his arrest in Crime No.17/2026 registered by Gudibande Police Station, Chickballapura, for the offence punishable under Section 20B of the Narcotic Drugs and - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010451552026 NC: 2026:KHC:42414 CRL.P No. 9667 of 2026 Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, subject to following conditions: i. The Petitioner 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/- with two sureties for the likesum to the satisfaction of the investigating officer; ii. The Petitioner shall regularly appear before the Trial Court on the date of hearing without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons; iii. Petitioner shall not tamper with the prosecution witness and he shall co-operate with the police for investigation and appear before them whenever called upon; iv. The petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE ND/List No.: 1 Sl No.: 54