- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 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. 13919 OF 2026 C/W CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 13200 OF 2026 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 13857 OF 2026 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 13884 OF 2026 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14279 OF 2026 IN CRL.P No. 13919/2026 BETWEEN: NITHYA N.C, D/O NAVEEN GOWDA U.D, AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS, NO. 156, VIJAYA BANK ROAD, NEAR MADHU MOTOR, CHANNAPATNA, HASSAN - 573 201. PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ACCOUNTANT …PETITIONER (BY SRI. AMAN N.L, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HASSAN DISTRICT TRANSFERRED TO CID Digitally signed by NANDINI M S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS REPRESENTED BY THE SPP HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU - 01. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. AHUL 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 WITH THE FIR IN CR.NO.157/2019 COMES TO BE REGISTERED BEFORE THE HASSAN CITY P.S. WHICH WAS BEFORE THE COURT OF PRL.DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, HASSAN FOR THE 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. IN CRL.P NO. 13200/2026 BETWEEN: VIJAYA E W/O RAVI KUMAR AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS, R/AT NO. 126, GROUND FLOOR II PHASE, WEST OF CHORD ROAD, MAHALAXMIPURAM, MAHALAXMIPURAM LAYOUT BENGALURU - 86. (PRESENTLY WORKING AS JOINT COMMISSIONER FOOD SAFETY AND DRUGS GOVERNMENT KARNATAKA) ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. PRATHEEP K.C, ADVOCATE) - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION, HASSAN DISTRICT REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT (CID) PALACE ROAD, BENGALURU REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU - 560 001. ...RESPONDENTS (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 ALLOW THIS PETITION AND ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HER ARREST IN CRIME NO.157/2019 REGISTERED BY HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION AND BEING INVESTIGATED BY CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT (CID) PALACE ROAD, BENGALURU PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE PRINCIPAL CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC COURT, HASSAN FOR THE OFFENCE P/US/ 465,468,420 OF IPC AND SEC.192(a)(1)(2)(3) OF KARNATAKA LAND REVENE ACT 1964, SEC.4(1)(2)(3) OF KARNATAKA LAND GRABBING PROHIBITION ACT 2007. IN CRL.P NO. 13857/2026 BETWEEN: 1. MALLIKARJUNA M - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS SON OF MRUTHYUNJAYA, AGED ABOUT 37 YEARS, R/AT NO.22, MUTHUGUNAE HEBBALU, BELURU, HASSAN - 573 121 PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, BELUR TALUK OFFICE, HASSAN DISTRICT. 2. YOGESH T.T S/O T.D THIMMAIAH, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, R/AT THEGURU VILLAGE, KASABA HOBLI, RAMPURA, CHIKKAMAGALUR - 577 133 PRESENTLY WORKING AS REVENUE INSPECTOR, BELUR TALUK OFFICE, HASSAN DISTRICT. 3. D.R. MOHAN KUMAR S/O RANGEGOWDA D, AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS, NEAR TALUK OFFICE, BELUR - 573 115 CURRENTLY R/AT MAHESHWARI NAGARA SAKALESHPURA - 573 134 PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER SAKALESHPUR TALUK OFFICE, HASSAN DISTRICT. 4. SIDDALINGESH S. BASAPUR SON OF SHIVAPPA AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS SANTOLLI, KUPGADDE PO UTTARA KANNADA - 581 358, - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, SAKALESHPUR TALUK OFFICE, HASSAN DISTRICT. 5. MANJUNATHA B S SON OF SATHYANARAYANA SHETTY B.S, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS NO. 146, BASAVESHWARA NAGARA HASSAN - 573 201, RESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER ALUR TALUK, HASSAN. 6. HANUMANTHAPPA D.R SON OF RAMAKRISHNA R, AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS, RESIDING AT MAYASANDRA HOBLI, TURUVEKERE THALLUKU, JADIYA, TUMKUR - 572 221, PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER BELUR TALUK OFFICE HASSAN DISTRICT. 7. BHANU PRAKASH K.R C/O RAMESH AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS AREHALLI HOBLI, KOTIGANAHALLI DABBE, BELUR - 573 115 PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, BELUR TALUK OFFICE, HASSAN DISTRICT. - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS 8. NAGARAJU T.C S/O LATE T.M. CHIKKAMALLAYYA, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, KUVEMPU NAGAR, BELUR TOWN, HASSAN. PRESENTLY WORKING AS RETIRED DEPUTY TAHSILDAR. 9. MANOHARA S SON OF LATE SUNDARA D AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS GOWTHAHALLI VILLAGE CHEEKANAHALLI POST MUDIGERE TALUK CHICKMAGLUR - 577 132 PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER BELUR TALUK OFFICE HASSAN DISTRICT. 10. PRAKASH T CARE OF THIMMASHETTI AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS GOTRAVALLI, KASABA HOBLI BALLUR POST, BALLUR HASSAN - 573 115 PRESENTLY WORKING AS REVENUE INSPECTOR, BELUR TALUK OFFICE HASSAN DISTRICT. 11. GURU R SON OF RAVI JANATHA COLONY JAVAGAL, HASSAN - 573 125, - 7 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, BELUR TALUK OFFICE, HASSAN DISTRICT, BELUR. 12. PRADEEP K.R, SON OF LATE RANGEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS 3RD MAIN, 11 CROSS HEMAVATHI NAGARA HASSAN - 573 201. PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER ALUR TALUK OFFICE HASSAN DISTRICT. 13. SUNIL KUMAR H.V SON OF LATE VENUGOPAL GOWRI VIRUPAKSHA NILAYA 80 FEET ROAD, HUNSINKERE LAYOUT SANTHEPETE, HASSAN - 573 201 PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ACCOUNTANT, SAKLESHPUR TALUK OFFICER HASSAN DISTRICT. 14. HARIJANA POOJARA KOTRESHA SON OF GONEPPA HP AGED ABOUT 28 YEARS NO. 18, WARD 2, AMBALI HAGARIBOMMANAHALLI BELLARY - 583 134 PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, SAKLESHPUR TALUK OFFICER HASSAN DISTRICT. - 8 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS 15. K.V. SHASHIKUMAR SON OF VENKATESH GOWDA AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS HALESANTHAVERI, SAKALESHPUR HASSAN - 573 134, PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLEGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, SAKLESHPUR TALUK FFICE HASSAN DISTRICT. 16. LOKESH S.B, SON OF LATE B. BAIRAJU AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS NO. 1185, SHAMBHULINGESHWARA STREET HOLENARASIPURA, HASSAN - 573 211 PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER HOLENARASIPURA TALUK OFFICE HASSAN DISTRICT. 17. SMT. ARCHANA V.S WIFE OF PURUSHOTHAMA AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS SUGGALUR VILLAGE, CHIKKAMEDURU POST BELUR TALUK, HASSAN - 573 115, PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER BELUR TALUK OFFICE, HASSAN. 18. SMT. AYISHA BANU H AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS DAUGHTER OF HAMMED K.M, BEHIND NOORANI MASJID AZAD ROAD, GOWRI KAVAL - 9 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS CHICKMAGLUR - 577 101, PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER BELUR TALUK OFFICE, HASSAN. 19. SMT. KRUSHIKA G P WIFE OF RAMACHARANA C AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS KASABA HOBLI, SANGAMAPURA BASKAL, CHICKMAGLUR - 577 132 PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ACCOUNTANT MUDIGERE TALUK OFFICE. 20. SMT. ANUSHA T.J AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS DAUGHTER OF CHOODAMANI KK NO. 265, HESGAL ROAD HESGAL VILLAGE, MUDIGERE CHICKMAGLUR - 577 132 PRESENTLY WORKING AS VILLAGE ACCOUNTANT MUDIGERE TALUK OFFICE. 21. S.L. UDIT NARAYAN S/O S.H LAKSHMINARAYAN, AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS, R/AT PUMP HOUSE ROAD, NEAR BADRIA MASJID, BELUR - 573 115 NOW AT SHIVAJYOTHI PANA BEEDI, NEHRU NAGARA BELURU, HASSAN - 573 115 PRESENTLY WORKING AS - 10 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER. (PETITIONER NO.21 WITHDRAWN VIDE ORDER DATED 28.09.2026) ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. AMAN N.L, ADVOCATE) AND: THE 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. CHANNAPPA ERAPPA, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.438 (FILED U/S.482 BNSS) OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO GRANT THE RELIEF OF ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO THE PETITIONER AND ISSUE A DIRECTION TO THE RESPONDENT STATE THAT IN THE EVENT OF ARREST OF THE PETITIONER IN CONNECTIONS WITH THE FIR IN CRIME NO.157/2019 COMES TO BE REGISTERED BEFORE THE HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION, FOR OFFENCE P/US/ 465, 468, 420 OF BNS AND IN RESPECT OF SEC.192(a)(b)(c) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND REVENUE ACT, 1963 AND SEC.4(1)(2)(3) AND (5) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND GRABBING PROHIBITION ACT 2007, THE PETITIONER SHALL BE RELEASED ON BAIL. - 11 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS IN CRL.P NO. 13884/2026 BETWEEN: 1. MAHENDRA. S S/O SHRIKANTE GOWDA, AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS, R/AT NO. 215, JANATHA HOUSES, 4TH CROSS, CHAMPAKA NAGAR, SAKALESHPUR TALUK, HASSAN - 573 134 PRESENTLY WORKING AS DEPUTY TAHSILDAR, BELUR TALUK OFFICE, HASSAN DISTRICT. 2. K.G. PRADEEP S/O K.R. GURUMURTHY, AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS, SHANKARADEVARAPETE, J.P. NAGARA, BELUR, HASSAN - 573 115 PRESENTLY WORKING AS DEPUTY TAHSILDAR, BELUR TALUK OFFICE, HASSAN. 3. M.S. DORE S/O LATE SHIVASHANKARA, AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, 15TH CROSS, KUVEMPU NAGARA, HASSAN - 573 201 PRESENTLY WORKING AS DEPUTY TAHSILDAR, BELUR TALUK OFFICE, HASSAN. 4. BEEREGOWDA S/O LAKKEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS, DASARAKOPPALU, HASSAN TOWN - 573 115 PRESENTLY WORKING AS (RETIRED) DEPUTY TAHSILDAR, HASSAN - 12 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS 5. MANJUNATH S/O MUNIYAPPA, AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, R/AT 2ND MAIN, 4TH CROSS, HEMAVATHINAGARA, HASSAN - 573 201 PRESENTLY WORKING AS DEPUTY TAHSILDAR, SAKALESHPUR TALUK, HASSAN. 6. HARISHA A.S S/O SHIVANNA A.R AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS, R/AT NO.56, DEVAMMA EXTENSION, CHANNAPATNA, HASSAN TOWN, HASSAN - 573 115 PRESENTLY WORKING AS DEPUTY TAHASILDAR, DUDDA, HASSAN TALUK, HASSAN. 7. D. SOMASHEKAR, S/O DEVAIAH, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, HOUSING BOARD, HOLENARASIPURA TOWN, HASSAN - 573 115, PRESENTLY WORKING AS DEPT. TAHASILDAR, ARAKALAGUDU TALUK, HASSAN. 8. JAVIDH HUSSEN, S/O M. SADIQ, AGED ABOUT 64YEARS, R/AT NO.60, MAHADEVAPURA MAIN ROAD, SBM COLONY, MYSORE UDAYAGIRI, MYSORE TOWN, MYSORE PRESENTLY WORKING AS (RETIRED) DEPUTY TAHASILDAR, - 13 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS ALUR TALUK, 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 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 THE PETITIONERS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE FIR IN CRIME NO.0157/2019 COMES TO BE REGISTERED BEFORE THE HASSAN CITY POLICE STATION NAME AND OFFENCES TO BE MENTIONED IN PRAYER STATION, FOR OFFENCES P/U/S 465, 468 AND 420 AND IN RESPECT OF SECTION 192(a)(1)(2)(3) OF THE KARNATAKA LAND REVENUE ACT, 1963 AND SEC. 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. 14279/2026 BETWEEN: SHARADAMBA - 14 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS W/O LATE RAMEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, R/AT BHAVANA NILAYA, JAYANAGARA 2ND CROSS, NEAR TANVI THRISHA KALYANA MANTAPA, CHIKKAHONNENAHALLI, HASSAN - 573 202 PLACE OF DUTY PERFORMED DEPUTY TAHSILDAR (RETIRED), ALUR TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 702. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. NISHIT KUMAR SHETTY, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY SHO, HASSAN TOWN POLICE, REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, BANGALORE - 560 001 ...RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI K, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 CR.P.C (U/S 482 BNSS) BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER PRAYING THAT THIS HONOURABLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO GRANT ANTICIPATORY BAIL TO THE PETITIONER IN THE EVENT OF HER ARREST IN CR.NO.157/2019 REGISTERED BY HASSAN CITY P.S., FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 465, 468, 420 OF IPC, U/S 192(a)(1)(2)(3) OF KARNATAKA LAND REVENUE ACT, 1964, U/S 4(1)(2)(3) OF KARNATAKA LAND GRABBING PROHIBITION ACT, 2007, PENDING BEFORE THE PRL. CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC COURT, HASSAN DISTRICT. - 15 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS 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. 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 - 16 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS 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 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 - 17 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS 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 allegations are based on documentary evidence. Petitioners do not have similar criminal antecedents. The petitioners have undertaken to co-operate with the Police for the purpose of investigation. The maximum punishment for the alleged offences is imprisonment for a - 18 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 OTHERS 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) Crl.P.No.13919/2026, Crl.P.No.13200/2026, Crl.P.No.13884/2026 and Crl.P.No.14279/2026 are allowed. Crl.P.No.13857/2026 is allowed in part. 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: - 19 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010621652026 NC: 2026:KHC:53601 CRL.P No. 13919 of 2026 C/W CRL.P No. 13200 of 2026 CRL.P No. 13857 of 2026 AND 2 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.: 78