- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010640842026 NC: 2026:KHC:51507 CRL.P No. 14231 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 19TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14231 OF 2026 BETWEEN: SANTHOSH S/O RANGASWAMY AGED 30 YEARS R/AT NARIHALLI KOPPALU VILLAGE JODITHATTEKERE POST KASABA HOBLI, HASSAN TALUK HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 217. …PETITIONER (BY SRI K. RAVISHANKAR, ADV.) AND: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY, HASSAN EXTENSION POLICE HASSAN SUB-DIVISION HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 201 AND ALSO REPRESENTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPP HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU - 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI CHANNAPPA REAPPA, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN RELATION TO CRIME NO.223/2026 REGISTERED BY THE RESPONDENT HASSAN EXTENSION POLICE STATION FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SEC.109, 115(2), Digitally signed by NANDINI M S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010640842026 NC: 2026:KHC:51507 CRL.P No. 14231 of 2026 118(1), 133, 138, 318(2) AND 89 R/W 190 OF BNS ACT 2023 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE IV CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC HASSAN. 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.223/2026 registered by Hassan Extension Police Station, Hassan, for the offences punishable under Sections 109, 115(2), 118(1), 133, 138, 190, 318(2), 89 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 parties. 3. FIR in Crime No.223/2026 was registered by Hassan Extension Police Station, Hassan, for the aforesaid offences against the petitioner and others, based on the first information dated 13.08.2026 received from H.D.Vanitha who is the alleged victim in the present case. Apprehending arrest in the said case, petitioner had filed Crl. Misc. No.892/2026 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court, which was rejected on 01.09.2026. Therefore, he is before this Court. - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010640842026 NC: 2026:KHC:51507 CRL.P No. 14231 of 2026 4. A reading of the first information would reveal that petitioner and the victim lady are acquainted to each other. On 12.08.2026, when the victim lady had gone to temple at B.M.Road, Hassan, along with her maternal aunt's daughter and her husband, petitioner who came there in a auto rickshaw allegedly abused her and assaulted her with his slipper. Thereafter, he made her to sit in the auto rickshaw and took her to an isolated place and assaulted her with a wooden stick. Accused no.2 who is the wife of the petitioner, and others came to the said spot and assaulted her. 5. In respect of the alleged incident that had taken place on 12.08.2026 at about 10.00 a.m., first information is belatedly submitted on 13.08.2026 at about 21.45 hours. The wound certificate of the victim would reveal that she has suffered only simple injuries as a result of the assault. 6. Petitioner who has no other criminal antecedents, has undertaken to cooperate with the police for the purpose of investigation. He is said to be an auto rickshaw driver by avocation. Under the circumstances, I am of the opinion that - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010640842026 NC: 2026:KHC:51507 CRL.P No. 14231 of 2026 petitioner's prayer for grant of anticipatory bail is required to be answered affirmatively. Accordingly, the following order: 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.223/2026 registered by Hassan Extension Police Station, Hassan, for the offences punishable under Sections 109, 115(2), 118(1), 133, 138, 190, 318(2), 89 of BNS, 2023, subject to the following conditions: 1. 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. 2. Petitioner shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons. 3. 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. - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010640842026 NC: 2026:KHC:51507 CRL.P No. 14231 of 2026 4. The petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE KK