- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010571612026 NC: 2026:KHC:48364 CRL.P No. 12716 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. 12716 OF 2026 BETWEEN: SRI. H.R. MANJUNATHA S/O H.T RAMAKRISHNAPPA, AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS R/A GUTTAHALLI, HULUKR, KOLAR - 563 116. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SRINATH B.V, ADVOCATE FOR SRI. NANJUNDA GOWDA M.R, ADVOCATE) AND: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY BETHAMANGALA POLICE, REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, DR. AMBEDKER VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI K, AGA) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 OF CR.P.C (U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE HIM ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CR.NO.88/2026 AGAINST THE PETITIONER REGISTERED BY BETHAMANGALA P.S., FOR THE Digitally signed by ANNAPURNA G Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010571612026 NC: 2026:KHC:48364 CRL.P No. 12716 of 2026 OFFENCE P/U/S 306 OF BNS, PENDING BEFORE THE ADDL. CIVIL JUDGE (SR.DN) AND CJM COURT, KOLAR DISTRICT, KGF. 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 in Crime No.88/2026 registered by Bethamangala Police Station, K.G.F., for the offences punishable under Section 306 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.88/2026 was registered by Bethamangala Police Station, K.G.F., for the aforesaid offences against the petitioner herein, based on the first information dated 16.07.2026 received from Sri. K.R. Manjunath, Executive Officer of Sri Venkataramanaswamy temple, Bangaru Tirupati, Guttahalli Village, K.G.F. - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010571612026 NC: 2026:KHC:48364 CRL.P No. 12716 of 2026 Apprehending arrest in the case, the petitioner had filed Crl.Misc.No.714/2026 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court, which was rejected on 03.08.2026. Therefore, he is before this Court. 4. Material on record would go to show that the petitioner was working as a peon in the office of the aforesaid temple. The allegation against the petitioner is that, when the Hundi money of the aforesaid temple was being counted, the petitioner allegedly committed theft of Rs.3,100/-, and it is under these circumstances the aforesaid FIR was registered. 5. Material on record would go to show that the petitioner was produced before the police, and in his pocket, the aforesaid amount of Rs.3,100/- was found, which was recovered by the police under a seizure panchanama. However, the petitioner was not arrested by the police, who had recovered the aforesaid amount from his possession, and prepared the seizure panchanama. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010571612026 NC: 2026:KHC:48364 CRL.P No. 12716 of 2026 6. Learned High Court Government Pleader has brought to the notice of this Court that the investigation of the case is already completed and the chargesheet has been filed. The petitioner has no other criminal antecedents. 7. Under these 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 : 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.88/2026 registered by Bethamangala Police Station, K.G.F for the offences punishable under Section 306 of the BNS, 2023, subject to the following conditions: - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010571612026 NC: 2026:KHC:48364 CRL.P No. 12716 of 2026 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. b) The petitioner shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons. c) 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. d) The petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE SHS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 60