- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010481482026 NC: 2026:KHC:45762 CRL.P No. 10477 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 25TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO.10477/2026 (438(Cr.PC)/ 482(BNSS)) BETWEEN: SRI. SYED IMRAN, S/O SYED IQBAL, AGE ABOUT 39 YEARS, VEHICLE OWNER, R/AT BALEPET, YALANDUR TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGAR DISTRICT – 571 441 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. DINESH KUMAR K. RAO, ADVOCATE FOR SRI.ESHWARA H H, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY TOWN POLICE STATION, CHAMARAJANAGAR, REP.BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, BENGALURU 560 001 …RESPONDENT (BY SRI.RANGASWAMY R, HCGP) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 CR.P.C (U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST ARISING OUT OF CR.NO.112/2025 REGISTERED BY CHAMARAJANAGAR TOWN P.S., CHAMARAJANAGAR, FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 3 AND 7 OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES ACT, 1955, PENDING BEFORE THE ADDL. CIVIL JUDGE (SR.DN) AND CJM, COURT, CHAMARAJANAGAR. Digitally signed by VANDANA S Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010481482026 NC: 2026:KHC:45762 CRL.P No. 10477 of 2026 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.3 in Crime No.112/2025 registered by Chamarajanagar Police Station, for the offences punishable under Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, on the file of the Additional Civil Judge (Sr.Dn.) and CJM Court, Chamarajanagar, is before this Court in this petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, seeking anticipatory bail. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned HCGP for the respondent - State. 3. FIR in Crime No.112/2025 is registered by Chamarajanagar Police Station for the aforesaid offences against Mohin Ahammed and two others based on the first information dated 29.06.2025 from one Chikkanna, Food Inspector, Chamarajanagar. Apprehending arrest in the said case, the petitioner filed Crl.Misc.No.110/2026 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court, which was rejected on - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010481482026 NC: 2026:KHC:45762 CRL.P No. 10477 of 2026 07.03.2026. Therefore, the petitioner is before this Court in the present petition. 4. A perusal of the material on record would go to show that based on the credible information received on 29.06.2025 at about 11.45 a.m., vehicle bearing registration No.KA-19-AD- 7144 which was driven by the accused No.1 was intercepted and on verification it was found that 80 plastic bags having 50 kgs of rice each, total weighing 4000 kgs was being transported without proper documents. According to the prosecution, the rice meant for distribution under Public Distribution Scheme was being transported in the vehicle. 5. On enquiry, accused No.1 allegedly informed the first informant that the rice was lifted from the house of the petitioner and was transported to the house of accused No.2, who was also the owner of the aforesaid vehicle. It is under these circumstances, FIR was registered against three persons. 6. Accused Nos.1 and 2, who are arrested in the present case are said to have been enlarged on bail. Except the confession statement of the arrested accused, there is no other - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010481482026 NC: 2026:KHC:45762 CRL.P No. 10477 of 2026 material as against the petitioner to connect him to the crime. In the earlier criminal cases registered against him, he is said to have been enlarged on bail. He has undertaken to co- operate with the Police for investigation. Considering the nature of allegations against the petitioner and also the punishment provided for the alleged offence, I am of the opinion that his prayer for grant of anticipatory bail needs to be answered affirmatively, subject to appropriate conditions. Accordingly, the following:- 7. The 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.112/2025 registered by Chamarajanagar Police Station, for the offences punishable under Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, on the file of the Additional Civil Judge (Sr.Dn.) and CJM Court, Chamarajanagar, subject to the 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 - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010481482026 NC: 2026:KHC:45762 CRL.P No. 10477 of 2026 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) Petitioner shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons. iii) Petitioner shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses 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 MDS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 62