- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010571842026 NC: 2026:KHC:48411 CRL.P No. 12735 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 7TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 12735 OF 2026 BETWEEN: RAVI Y.P, S/O LATE PAPANNA, AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS, R/O YALAGATAVALLI VILLAGE, DODDAMAGGE HOBLI, ARAKALAGUDU TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHILPA RANI, ADVOCATE) AND: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY BELLUR POLICE STATION, MANDYA, REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, OFFICE OF ADVOCATE GENERAL, HIGH COURT BUILDINGS, BANGALORE - 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI K, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.438 (FILED U/S.482 BNSS) OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO GRANT THE PETITIONER ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN CRIME NO.156/2024 FOR THE OFFENCE P/US/ 310(2) OF BNS 2023 REGISTERED AS C.C.NO.466/2024 PENDING ON Digitally signed by ANNAPURNA G Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010571842026 NC: 2026:KHC:48411 CRL.P No. 12735 of 2026 THE FILE OF THE COURT OF CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC COURT, NAGAMANGALA, MANDYA DISTRICT SUBJECT TO SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS THIS HONBLE COURT DEEMS FIT. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY ORAL ORDER Accused No.6 in Crime No.156/2024 registered by Bellur Police Station, Mandya district, for the offence punishable under Section 310(2) of the BNS, 2023, is before this Court in this petition filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 seeking anticipatory bail. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the parties. 3. FIR in Crime No.156/2024 was registered by Bellur Police Station, Mandya district, for the offences punishable under Section 309(4) of BNS against six unknown persons, based on the first information dated 27.08.2024 received from Sri Siddegowda Y.K., S/o Sri - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010571842026 NC: 2026:KHC:48411 CRL.P No. 12735 of 2026 Kapanigowda. After completing investigation, charge sheet has been filed in the present case against six persons and the petitioner is arrayed as accused No.6 in the charge sheet. Apprehending arrest in the case, the petitioner had filed Crl.Misc.No.391/2026 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court, which was rejected on 15.05.2026. Therefore, he is before this Court. 4. In the first information submitted on 27.08.2024, the alleged victim has stated that, on 20.08.2024, when he and CW2-Sri Shivalingegowda were transporting three cows in a Ashok Leyland Goods Vehicle bearing registration No.KA-13/C-7148, the said vehicle was intercepted on the Bengaluru-Mangalore Highway by a Maruthi Suzuki Swift Dezire car and six persons who had arrived in the said car allegedly threatened them by showing a knife. One amongst them snatched cash of Rs.8,600/- from the pocket of CW-1. Subsequently, the accused persons took CW-1 and CW-2 along with them in their car and, after threatening them, allegedly transferred - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010571842026 NC: 2026:KHC:48411 CRL.P No. 12735 of 2026 amount of Rs.26,000/- through PhonePe. Thereafter, they criminally intimidated CW-1 and CW-2, released them and went away. 5. In respect of the alleged incident that had taken place on 20.08.2024, the first information was submitted belatedly on 27.08.2024, after a lapse of seven days from the alleged date of incident. The aforesaid inordinate delay has not at all been explained in the present case. Accused Nos.1, 2 and 5 were arrested during the course of investigation and the aforesaid Maruthi Suzuki Swift Dezire car, which was used by the accused persons for committing the crime, has been recovered from the arrested accused. 6. Learned counsel for the petitioner has brought to the notice of this Court that the petitioner has no criminal antecedents and he is working as a driver in the BMTC. The investigation of the case is already completed. Considering the aforesaid aspects of the matter, I am of - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010571842026 NC: 2026:KHC:48411 CRL.P No. 12735 of 2026 the opinion that the prayer made by the petitioner seeking anticipatory bail needs to be granted, subject to appropriate conditions. Accordingly, the following: O R D E R i) The criminal petition is allowed. ii) 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.156/2024 registered by Bellur Police Station, Mandya district for the offence punishable under Section 310(2) of BNS, 2023, subject to the following conditions: a) 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. - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010571842026 NC: 2026:KHC:48411 CRL.P No. 12735 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 witness and he shall co-operate with the police for investigation and appear before them whenever called upon. d) Petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE SHS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 61