- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010596192026 NC: 2026:KHC:47175 CRL.P No. 13264 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 31ST DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO.13264/2026 (439(Cr.PC)/483(BNSS)) BETWEEN: SRI.LOKESHA B J S/O. JAYACHANDRA, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, R/AT, AREKALLU VILLAGE, MEGARAVALLI POST, THIRTHAHALLI TALUK, SHIVAMOGGA DISTRICT - 577 424. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SUNIL KUMAR B. N., ADVOCATE) AND: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY, DODDAPETE POLICE STATION, SHIVAMOGGA DISTRICT REP. BY S.P.P. HIGH COURT BUILDING COMPLEX, AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560 001 …RESPONDENT (BY SMT. RASHMI JADHAV, ADDL. SPP) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 OF CR.P.C (U/S 483 BNSS) PRAYING TO GRANT REGULAR BAIL TO THE PETITIONER ARISING OUT OF CR.NO.239/2026 REGISTERED BY DODDAPETE P.S., SHIVAMOGGA SUB- DIVISION, FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS Digitally signed by NANDINI M S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010596192026 NC: 2026:KHC:47175 CRL.P No. 13264 of 2026 61(1), 318(4) READ WITH SECTION 3(5) OF BNS, 2023, PENDING BEFORE THE JMFC 2nd COURT, SHIVAMOGGA DISTRICT, SHIVAMOGGA. 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.239/2026 registered by Doddapete Police Station, Shivamogga, for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4) and 61(1) of BNS, 2023, 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 Additional State Public Prosecutor on behalf of the respondent - State. 3. FIR in Crime No.239/2026 was registered by Doddapete Police Station, Shivamogga, for the aforesaid offences against the petitioner and others, based on the first information dated 03.07.2026 received from Daravatto Kranthi Kumar, Manager and Authorized Representative of Punjab National Bank. Apprehending arrest in the case, petitioner had filed - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010596192026 NC: 2026:KHC:47175 CRL.P No. 13264 of 2026 Crl.Misc.No.830/2026 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court which was rejected on 14.08.2026. Therefore, he is before this Court. 4. Accused No.2 as against whom similar allegations is found in the FIR had approached this Court in Criminal Petition No.11663/2026 which was allowed on 25.08.2026. In paragraph No.4 of the order passed in Criminal Petition No.11663/2026, it is observed as follows: 4. In the first information dated 03.07.2026, it is stated that accused Nos.1 and 2, who were holding savings bank account in Punjab National Bank had availed gold loan after pledging their gold jewelry. The allegations against the petitioner is that she had totally borrowed a sum of Rs.3,98,000/- from the bank by pledging her gold jewelries. Subsequently, it was found that the gold jewelry which were pledged by petitioner were spurious. Accused No.3 is the authorized appraiser of gold working for Punjab National Bank. It is not in dispute that only based on his report, loan was sanctioned to the petitioner by the bank. After a period of 3 months, complaint is now lodged stating that gold jewelries, which were pledged by the petitioner are spurious. Considering the nature of allegations found against the petitioner, who is a married lady, having no other criminal antecedents, I am of the opinion that her - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010596192026 NC: 2026:KHC:47175 CRL.P No. 13264 of 2026 prayer for grant of anticipatory bail, needs to be answered affirmatively, subject to appropriate conditions. 5. It is not in dispute that petitioner has no other criminal antecedents. He has undertaken to co-operate with the Police for the purpose of investigation. Under the circumstances, 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.239/2026 registered by Doddapete Police Station, Shivamogga, for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4) and 61(1) of BNS, 2023, subject to the following conditions: a. 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. - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010596192026 NC: 2026:KHC:47175 CRL.P No. 13264 of 2026 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 he 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 MDS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 35