- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010444442026 NC: 2026:KHC:41915 CRL.P No. 9461 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 7TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 9461 OF 2026 BETWEEN: SRI DHANUSH KUMAR M S/O MUNIRATHNAPPA AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS R/A NO.5, 20TH 'A' CROSS EJIPURA, VIVEKANAGAR POST BENGALURU - 560 047. …PETITIONER (BY SRI RAJAGOPALA T.K, ADV.) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY CENTRAL WOMEN POLICE STATION BENGALURU, REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. SMT. PRATHIKSHA S W/O DHANUSH KUMAR M AGED ABOUT 26 YEARS R/AT NO. 386, DODDATHOGURU VALANKANI ROAD ELECTRONIC CITY BENGALURU - 560 100. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI RANGASWAMY R, HCGP FOR R-1; SRI SREENIVASA MURTHY H.N, ADV. FOR R-2) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.438 (FILED U/S.482 BNSS) CR.P.C PRAYING TO ENLARGE HIM ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CRIME NO.22/2026 FOR OFFENCE P/US/ 85,74,352,351(2) R/W SEC.3(5) OF BNS 2023 AND SEC.3,4 OF DP ACT 1961 REGISTERED BY CENTRAL WOMEN POLICE STATION, Digitally signed by NANDINI M S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010444442026 NC: 2026:KHC:41915 CRL.P No. 9461 of 2026 BENGALURU CITY (RESPONDENT HEREIN) AS BAIL APPLICATION FILED U/S.482 OF BNSS 2023 BY THE PETITIONER IN COURT OF LXXI ADDL CITY CIVIL AND SESSIONS JUDGE, BENGALURU CITY (CCH-72) IN CRL.MISC.NO.5619/2026 U/S.482 OF BNSS 2023 SEEKING GRANT OF ANTICIPATORY BAIL WHICH CAME TO BE DISMISSED ON 25.06.2026 COUPLED WITH SUCH OTHER CONDITIONS AS THIS HONBLE COURT MAY DEEM FIT TO IMPOSE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCE OF THE CASE. 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.1 in Crime No.22 of 2026 registered by Central Women Police Station, Bengaluru City for offences punishable under Sections 85, 74, 352, 351(2) r/w Section 3(5) of BNS, 2023 and Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 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.22 of 2026 was registered by Central Women Police Station, Bengaluru City for the aforesaid offences against the petitioner herein and three others, based on the first information dated 06.06.2026 to receive from respondent no.2, who is the wife of the petitioner. - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010444442026 NC: 2026:KHC:41915 CRL.P No. 9461 of 2026 Apprehending arrest in the case, petitioner had filed Criminal Misc.No.5619 of 2026, which was rejected against him on 25.06.2026. Therefore, he is before this Court. 4. Perusal of the material on record would go to show that, marriage of the petitioner with the first informant was solemnized on 21.03.2021. In the first information, it is alleged that, at the time of the marriage, as per the demand made by the accused persons, dowry was given to them in cash and kind. It is alleged that, in spite of the same, the first informant was being continuously tortured and ill-treated in her matrimonial house by the accused person. It is also alleged that, petitioner was an alcoholic and he had illicit relationship with other ladies and he also had a habit of recording the sexual activities in his mobile phone. It is further alleged that, in the month of October - 2025, there was a panchayat between the family members of the couple and even in the said panchayat, the accused persons had misbehaved. Subsequently, on 05.06.2026, there was yet another panchayat and in the said panchayat, the accused persons had refused to take the first informant to the matrimonial house. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010444442026 NC: 2026:KHC:41915 CRL.P No. 9461 of 2026 5. In the typed first information dated 06.06.2026 submitted by the first informant, there is no particulars of any specific incident in which she was ill-treated or tortured by the petitioners herein. The allegations are ominous in nature and such allegations relate to period prior to October, 2025. After October, 2025 there were two panchayaths, which had failed and thereafter, the present complaint is filed. 6. Considering the nature of allegations found in the first information and also the relationship between the parties, I am of the opinion that, prayer made by the petitioner for grant of anticipatory bail needs to be answered affirmatively subject to appropriate conditions. ORDER (i) The Criminal Petition is allowed. (ii) The respondent - Police or any other police in the State of Karnataka are directed to release the petitioners in the event of his arrest in Crime No.22 of 2026 registered by Central Women Police Station, Bengaluru City for offences punishable under Sections 85, 74, 352, 351(2) r/w Section 3(5) of BNS, - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010444442026 NC: 2026:KHC:41915 CRL.P No. 9461 of 2026 2023 and Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, subject to the following conditions:- 1. The petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer in the present case within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order on executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) with two sureties for the likesum to the satisfaction of the investigating officer/jurisdictional Court. 2. The petitioner shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons. 3. The 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. 4. The petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE NMS/List No.: 1 Sl No.: 33