- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 28TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14205 OF 2026 C/W CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14007 OF 2026 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14025 OF 2026 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14027 OF 2026 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14125 OF 2026 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14130 OF 2026 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14367 OF 2026 IN CRL.P No. 14205/2026 BETWEEN: 1. ASLAM BASHA S/O LATE ABDUL JALEEL, AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS, R/AT MAGGADA BIDI, MEGALA KERI, BAGURU ROAD, CHANNARAYAPATTANA, HASSAN - 573 116 PRESENTLY WORKING AS SHERISTEDAR K.R. NAGARA TALUK, MYSURU DISTRICT. 2. H P. SHIVALINGAIAH, S/O PUTTASWAMY, AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS, THARIKERE COLONY VILLAGE, HARALAKERE, KOPPA HOBLI, MADDUR, MANDYA - 571 425 Digitally signed by NANDINI M S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS PRESENTLY WORKING AS DEPUTY TAHSILDAR MADDUR TALUK OFFICE MANDYA DISTRICT. 3. CHETHAN M.S, S/O SHIVASWAMI, AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS, R/AT NO.11, HASANAMBA BLOCK, NEAR CHAMUNDESHWARI TEMPLE, DAR POLICE QUARTERS, HASSAN - 573 201. PRESENTLY WORKING AS SECOND DIVISION ASSISTANT, SAKALESHPUR TALUK, OFFICE HASSAN DISTRICT. 4. SHWETHA P.P W/O KARUNAKARA B.S, AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS, R/AT AMBEDKAR NAGARA, BALLUPETE, SAKALESHPURA TALUK, HASSAN - 573 214 CURRENTLY WORKING AS SHERISTEDAR, SAKALESHPUR TALUK OFFICE, HASSAN DISTRICT. 5. NAVEEN GOWDA U D AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS SON OF DHARMARAJU UDUVARE HASSAN - 573 201 PRESENTLY WORKING AS SECOND DIVISION ASSISTANT, BELUR TALUK OFFICE. 6. B. EASHWARAN S/O D.J BANAPPA - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, R/AT HASSAN, 3RD MAIN, 5TH CROSS NEAR POST OFFICE, HEMAVATHI NAGAR, HASSAN PRESENTLY RETIRED AS DEPUTY TAHSILDAR. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. AMAN N.L, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HASSAN DISTRICT, TRANSFERRED TO CID REPRESENTED BY THE SPP HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI K, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO THE PETITIONERS AND ISSUE A DIRECTION TO THE RESPONDENT STATED THAT IN THE EVENT OF ARREST OF THE PETITIONERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE FIR IN CR.NO.157/2019 COMES TO BE REGISTERED BEFORE THE HASSAN CITY P.S. FOR THE OFFENCE P/U/S 465, 468, 420 AND IN RESPECT OF SEC.192(a)(1) (2)(3) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND REVENUE CT 1963 AND SEC.4(1)(2)(3) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND GRABBING PROHIBITION ACT 2007 IN THE HONBLE COURT OF PRL.CIVIL JUDGE AND J.M.F.C COURT HASSAN THE PETITIONERS SHALL BE RELEASED ON BAIL. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS IN CRL.P NO. 14007/2026 BETWEEN: 1. N.C. RAMESHA, S/O CHANNEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY TAHSILDAR, KUNDUR HOBLI, ALUR TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 213, R/O SHREE DAKSHA NILAYA, RAJAJI NAGARA, HASSAN TOWN, HASSAN. (HE WAS WORKING AS DEPUTY TAHSILDAR, SHANTIGRAMA HOBLI, HASSAN TALUK, FROM 2015 TO 2023). 2. ANKEGOWDA M.A, S/O ANKEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS, WORKING AS SHIRASTEDAR, ALUR TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 213, R/O NANJUNDESHWARA NILAYA, 2ND STAGE, VISHWESHWARAIAH BADAVANE, HASSAN TOWN, HASSAN. (HE WAS WORKING AS REVENUE INSPECTOR, YESLUR HOBLI, SAKALESHPURA TALUK, FROM 19-06-2014 TO 28-08-2015, AND BIKKODU HOBALI, BELUR TALUK, FROM 16-03-2016 TO 31-12-2016) 3. H.G. GOVINDARAJU, S/O LATE H.P. GANESH, AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY TAHASILDAR, DUDDA HOBALI, HASSAN TALUK, - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 201, R/O NO. 776. UDAYAGIRI EXTENSION, HASSAN TOWN, HASSAN. (HE WAS WORKING AS REVENUE INSPECTOR, DUDDA HOBLI, HASSAN TALUK, FROM 2014 TO 2019). 4. S.V. SANNEGOWDA, S/O LATE VENKATEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS, WORKING AS RETIRED DEPUTY TAHASILDAR, R/O 4TH CROSS, SHANTHI NAGARA, HASSAN TOWN, HASSAN - 573 201. (HE WAS WORKING AS REVENUE INSPECTOR, MALLIPATTNA HOBLI, ARKALGUD TALUK, FROM 2016 TO 2019). ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. MARUTHI S, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION, HASSAN DISTRICT, NOW INVESTIGATED BY CID POLICE - 560 001. REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU - 560 001. ...RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI K, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO GRANT ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO THE PETITIONERS IN THE EVENT OF THEIR ARREST BY THE - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS RESPONDENT POLICE IN CRIME NO.157/2019 OF HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION (NOW INVESTIGATED BY CID POLICE), FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 465, 468 AND 420 OF IPC, SECTION 192(A)(1)(2)(3) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND REVENUE ACT, 1964 AND SECTION 4(1)(2)(3) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND GRABBING PROHIBITION ACT, 2007. IN CRL.P NO. 14025/2026 BETWEEN: K.P. LINGARAJU S/O PARAMESHWARAPPA, AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS, WORKING AS DEPUTY TAHSILDAR BANAVARA HOBALI, ARASIKERE TALUK HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 103, R/O 2ND MAIN ROAD, SRINAGAR BEHIND MINI VIDHANA SOUDHA ARASIKERE TOWN, ARASIKERE - 573 101 (HE WAS WORKING AS REVENUE INSPECTOR BELUR TALUK, FROM 2014 TO 2017, AND ALSO AS VILLAGE ACCOUNTANT BELUR TALUK, FROM 2005-2017) ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. MARUTHI S, ADVOCATE) AND: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION, HASSAN DISTRICT NOW INVESTIGATED BY CID POLICE - 560 001 REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 7 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS BENGALURU - 560 001. ...RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI K, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNNS) PRAYING TO GRANT ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO THE PETITIONERS IN THE EVENT OF THEIR ARREST BY THE RESPONDENT POLICE IN CRIME NO.157/2019 OF HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION (NOW INVESTIGATED BY CID POLICE), FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 465, 468 AND 420 OF IPC, SECTION 192(a)(1)(2)(3) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND REVENUE ACT, 1964 AND SEC.4(1)(2)(3) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND GRABBING PROHIBITION ACT, 2007, ON SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS DEEMED FIT UNDER THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE. IN CRL.P NO. 14027/2026 BETWEEN: RAJU S.K, S/O KRISHNEGOWDA S.K, AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS, WORKING AS CHIEF ACCOUNT OFFICER AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR, SRI ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE MEDICAL COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, BENGALURU R/O ALAGERI STREET, SALIGRAMA POST K.R. NAGAR TALUK MYSORE DISTRICT - 571 604 (HE WAS WORKING AS TAHSILDAR TALUK OFFICE, BELUR TALUK, FROM 02-08-2018 TO 10-10-2018 AND FROM 15-11-2018 TO 03-01-2019) - 8 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS 2. R.B. SHIVASHANKARAPPA S/O R.S BASAPPA AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, RETIRED TAHSILDAR R/O RANGAPURA VILLAGE MARITHAMMANAHALLI POST, DODDAMAGGE HOBALI, ARKALAGUD TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT (HE WAS WORKING AS TAHSILDAR HASSAN TALUK, FROM 17-06-2016 TO 31-03-2018, FROM 22-06-2018 TO 18-01-2019 AND FROM 02-01-2020 TO 30-06-2021) ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. MARUTHI S, ADVOCATE) AND: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION, HASSAN DISTRICT, NOW INVESTIGATED BY CID POLICE - 560 001 REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU - 560 001. ...RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI K, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNNS) PRAYING TO GRANT ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO THE PETITIONERS IN THE EVENT OF THEIR ARREST BY THE RESPONDENT POLICE IN CRIME NO.157/2019 OF HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION (NOW INVESTIGATED BY CID POLICE), FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 465, 468 AND 420 OF IPC, SECTION 192(a)(1)(2)(3) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND - 9 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS REVENUE ACT, 1964 AND SEC.4(1)(2)(3) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND GRABBING PROHIBITION ACT, 2007, ON SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS DEEMED FIT UNDER THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE. IN CRL.P NO. 14125/2026 BETWEEN: 1. B.K. NAGARAJU S/O LATE B. KRISHNAMURTHY, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, RAMARAO STREET, NEAR CHANNAKESHAVA TEMPLE, BELUR, HASSAN - 573 115, PRESENTLY WORKING AS RETIRED VILLAGE ADMINITRATIVE OFFICER. 2. S.L. UDIT NARAYAN S/O S.H. LAKSHMINARAYAN, AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS, R/AT PUMP HOUSE ROAD, NEAR BADRIA MASJID, BELURU - 573 115 NOW AT SHIVAJYOTHI PANA BEEDI, NEHRU NAGARA BELURU, HASSAN - 573 115 PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINSTRATIVE OFFICER, BELUR TALUK. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. AMAN N.L, ADVOCATE FOR SMT. PARVATHY R. NAIR, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA - 10 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS BY HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION, REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HASSAN DISTRICT, TRANSFERRED TO CID REPRESENTED BY THE SPP HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU. ...RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI K, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNNS) PRAYING TO GRANT THE RELIEF OF ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO THE PETITIONERS AND ISSUE A DIRECTION TO THE RESPONDENT STATE THAT IN THE EVENT OF ARREST OF TE PETITIONERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE FIR IN CRIME NO.0157/2019 COMES TO BE REGISTERED BEFORE THE HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 465, 468 AND 420 AND IN RESPECT OF SECTION 192(a) (b)(c) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND REVENUE ACT 1963 AND SECTIONS 4(1)(2)(3) AND (5) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND GRABBING PROHIBITION ACT 2007 THE PETITIONERS SHALL BE RELEASED ON BAIL. IN CRL.P NO. 14130/2026 BETWEEN: 1. L.S. RAMESHA S/O L.N. SUBBEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, WORKING AS OFFICE ASSISTANT, DC OFFICE HASSAN, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 201, R/O PUNYODAYA NILAYA, 5TH CROSS, MILIKARJUNA NAGARA, - 11 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS SAKALESHAPURA, HASSAN DISTRICT (HE/SHE WAS WORKING AS SHIRASTEDAR TALUK OFFICE, SAKALESHAPURA TALUK FROM 2010-2019) 2. Y.M. RENUKUMAR S/O LATE Y.T. MADEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, WORKING AS TAHSILDAR HOLENARASIPURA TALUK HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 201 R/O 273, PATLAMMA TEMPLE ROAD, KOTTATTI HOBALI, MANDYA TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT (HE/SHE WAS WORKING AS TAHSILDAR HOLENARASIPURA TALUK FROM 2010 TO 2019) 3. MEGHANA G D/O S.K. GANDHI AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, WORKING AS TAHSILDAR GBDA RAMANAGARA RAMANAGARA DISTRICT - 562 159, R/O NO. 1, 15TH CROSS, VYALIKAVAL, BANGALORE NORTH MALLESHWARAM, BANGALORE - 560 003 (HE/SHE WAS WORKING AS TAHSILDAR BELUR TALUK FROM JANUARY TO JULY 2019). 4. UMESH J S/O JAYARAMU, AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS, WORKING AS ADDITIONAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER, - 12 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS BANGALORE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, BANGALORE - 560 052 R/O NO. 303, 3RD FLOOR, BENAKA ENCLAVE, 1ST CROSS MALLESHWARAM, BANGALORE - 560 003 (HE /SHE WAS WORKING AS TAHSILDAR, BELUR TALUK FROM APRIL TO JULY 2018) 5. KRISHNAMURTHY K.K, S/O LATE K.V. KRISHNAPPA AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS, WORKING AS TAHSILDAR SOMAVARAPETE TALUK MADIKERI DISTRICT - 571 236 R/O NO. 693, VENKATESHWARA NILAYA BASAVESHWARA BADAVANE, SOMAVARAPETE TALUK, MADIKERI DISTRICT (HE/SHE WAS WORKING AS DEPUTY TAHSILDAR, HANABAL HOBALI, SAKALESHAPURA TALUK FROM 2016 TO 2021) ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. MARUTHI S, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION, HASSAN DISTRICT NOW INVESTIGATED BY CID POLICE - 560 001 REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU - 560 001. ...RESPONDENT (BY SRI. MARUTHI S, ADVOCATE) - 13 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNNS) PRAYING TO GRANT ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO THE PETITIONERS IN THE EVENT OF THEIR ARREST BY THE RESPONDENT POLICE IN CRIME NO.157/2019 OF HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION (NOW INVESTIGATED BY CID POLICE), FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 465, 468 AND 420 OF IPC, SECTION 192(a)(1)(2)(3) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND REVENUE ACT, 1964 AND SEC.4(1)(2)(3) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND GRABBING PROHIBITION ACT, 2007, ON THE FILE OF PRINCIPAL CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC HASSAN, ON SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS DEEMED FIT UNDER THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE. IN CRL.P NO. 14367/2026 BETWEEN: 1. VEERAIAH S/O CHIKKIRAIAH, AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS, R/AT NO.95, NEAR KITS CONVENT CHANNIGARAYA BADAVANE, HASSAN - 573 115 PRESENTLY RETIRED AS SHIRASTEDAR 2. T.D. RAVIKUMAR S/O DYAVAIAH, AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS, R/AT THATHANAHALLY VILLAGE, HALLY MYSORE HOBLI, H.N. PURA TALUK, HASSAN - 573 115. 3. VEENA. J AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS, W/O MANJUNATHA, - 14 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS NO.2059, 41TH CROSS, ARASIKERE ROAD, SMK LAYOUT, HASSAN PRESENTLY WORKING AS SHIRASTHEDAR, DC OFFICE, HASSAN. 4. G.S JAYARAM S/O SHANKARSHETTY, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, R/AT KENGERI NEAR MARAMMA TEMPLE BENGALURU - 560 060 PRESENTLY RETIRED AS FIRST DIVISION ASSISTANT. 5. KRISHNAMURTHY S/O LINGAPPA, AGED ABOUT 69 YEARS, MINI VIDHANA SOUDHA LAYOUT, NEHRU NAGAR, BELUR, PLACE OF DUTY: DEPUTY TAHASILDAR RETIRED, BELUR TALUK. 6. SHIVANANDA S/O NINGAPPA RAMEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, R/AT OLD NO.15A, NEHRU NAGAR, BELUR TOWN, BELUR, HASSAN PRESENTLY WORKING AS REVENUE INSPECTOR (RETIRED), BELUR TALUK. 7. PRABHA. M.S W/O SANTOSH M.S, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, - 15 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS R/AT NO.134, CHIKANAHALLI ROAD, KUVEMPU NAGAR, BELUR TOWN, HASSAN PRESENTLY AS VILLAGE ACCOUNTANT, TALUK OFFICE, BELUR. 8. PRAVEENA U.B S/O BOBEGOWDA U.P, AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS, R/AT URUBAGE, MUDIGERE TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALUR - 577 132 PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, SAKALESHPUR TALUK OFFICE, HASSAN. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. AMAN N.L, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HASSAN DISTRICT TRANSFERRED TO CID REPRESENTED BY THE SPP HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU. ...RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI K, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO GRANT THE RELIEF OF ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO THE PETITIONERS AND ISSUE A DIRECTION TO THE RESPONDENT STATE THAT IN THE EVENT OF ARREST OF THE PETITIONERS IN CONNECTION - 16 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS WITH THE FIR IN CR.NO.157/2019 COMES TO BE REGISTERED BEFORE THE HASSAN CITY P.S. FOR OFFENCE P/U/S 465, 468, 420 AND IN RESPECT OF SEC.192(a)(1) (2)(3) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND REVENUE ACT 1963 AND SEC.4(1)(2)(3)(5) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND GRABBING PROHIBITION ACT 2007 THE PETITIONERS SHALL BE RELEASED ON BAIL. THESE PETITIONS, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY ORAL ORDER Petitioners, who are apprehending arrest in Crime No.157/2019 registered by Hassan City Police Station, Hassan, for the offences punishable under Sections 465, 468 and 420 of Indian Penal Code, 1860, Section 192(a)(1)(2)(3) of Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1963 and Sections 4(1)(2)(3) and (5) of Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Act, 2007, are before this Court in these petitions filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, seeking anticipatory bail. - 17 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS 2. Heard the learned counsel for the parties. 3. FIR in Crime No.157/2019 was registered by Hassan City Police Station, Hassan for the offences punishable under Sections 465, 468 and 420 of IPC, 1860 against unknown person, based on the first information dated 24.10.2019 received from the Special Land Acquisition Officer, Hemavathi River Project, Hassan. Apprehending arrest in the said case, the petitioners had approached jurisdictional Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail. Since their petitions were dismissed by the learned Sessions Judge, they are before this Court in the above captioned petitions. 4. A reading of the first information dated 24.10.2019 received from the Special Land Acquisition Officer, Hemavathi River Project, Hassan, would go to show that, during the period from 01.01.2015 to 30.11.2018, fraudulent grants were made in respect of land that was reserved for the purpose of allotment to the - 18 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS land losers of Hemavathi River Project, to undeserving persons by the revenue officials in collusion with such persons. A reading of the first information would further go to show that as many as 414 such cases were traced and thereafter, the Land acquisition officer had approached the Police. 5. It appears that, on 16.03.2026, the Deputy Commissioner, Hassan, has directed to hold an enquiry as against 141 persons who were working in various capacities in the Department of Revenue during the period from 2015 to 2019. It is under these circumstances, the petitioners apprehended arrest and therefore, they had approached the Jurisdictional Sessions Court. 6. Material made available to this Court would go to show that the learned Sessions Judge has granted anticipatory bail to similarly placed other accused persons in Crl.Misc.No.808/2026 and Crl.Misc.No.780/2026. The petitioners have undertaken to co-operate with the Police - 19 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS for the purpose of investigation. The maximum punishment for the alleged offences is imprisonment for a period of seven years. Considering the aforesaid aspects of the matter and the nature of the allegations found against the accused persons, the following: O R D E R i) The Criminal Petitions are allowed. ii) The respondent - Police or any other police in the State of Karnataka are directed to release the petitioners in the event of his arrest in Crime No.157/2019 registered by Hassan City Police Station, Hassan for the offences punishable under Sections 465, 468 and 420 of Indian Penal Code, 1860, Section 192(a)(1)(2)(3) of Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1963 and Sections 4(1)(2)(3) and (5) of Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Act, 2007, subject to the following conditions: - 20 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621662026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 14205 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 14007 of 2026 CRL.P No. 14025 of 2026 AND 4 OTHERS a) The petitioners 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 petitioners shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons. c) The petitioners shall not tamper with the prosecution witness and they shall co- operate with the police for investigation and appear before them whenever called upon. d) The petitioners shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE SHS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 85