- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15974 CRL.P No. 1863 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 17TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 1863 OF 2026 (439(Cr.PC) / 483(BNSS)) BETWEEN: PUNITH RANGAN R S/O RANGASHAMACHARI AGED ABOUT 24 YEARS R/AT KANEGOWDANAHALLI, MYLANAHALLI, BANGALORE RURAL DISTRICT 3 562 123 &PETITIONER (BY SRI. VISHNUMURTHY.,ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY YESHWANTHPURA POLICE STATION, BANGALORE Digitally signed by PAVITHRA N Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15974 CRL.P No. 1863 of 2026 R/P BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BANGALORE 3 560 001. &RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RANGASWAMY R., HCGP) THIS CRL.P FILED U/S.439 (FILED U/S.483 BNSS) CR.P.C BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER PRAYING THAT THIS HONOURABLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO ENLARGE HIM ON BAIL IN CR.NO.16/2026 OF YESHWANTHPURA P.S., PENDING ON XLIX, ACJM, BENGALURU FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 69, 351(3), 88 OF BHARATHIYA NYAYA SANHITH-2023, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15974 CRL.P No. 1863 of 2026 ORAL ORDER 1. The petitioner/accused No.1 is before this Court seeking regular bail in Crime No.16/2026, pending on the file of XLIX, ACJM, Bangalore for the offences punishable under Sections 69, 351(3) and 88 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Brief facts of the case: 2. The case of the prosecution is that the complainant is aged about 23 years and a resident of R.K. Gardens, Bangalore. It is stated in her complaint that the petitioner had a relationship with her. On 11.09.2023, after taking her to Chapter One Main Bar, New BEL Road, Bengaluru, the petitioner had physical relationship with her on several occasions. Consequently, she became pregnant. The said pregnancy has been terminated by administering tablets without any prescription. Consequently, she became weak and tired. Again she became pregnant. However, the same has been terminated. The said physical relationship has been continued for a considerable length of time. The complainant insisted the petitioner to marry her. However, the petitioner - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15974 CRL.P No. 1863 of 2026 was not showing any interest for the marriage. Later after sometimes, the said relationship became strained on account of the said false promise of the petitioner. Hence, the complainant lodges a complaint against the petitioner. 3. Based on the said complaint, the respondent police has registered a case in Cr.No.16/2026 against the petitioner and the investigation is in progress. 4. Heard Sri. Vishnumurthy, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri. Rangaswamy R, learned HCGP for respondent-State. 5. It is the submission of learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner is innocent of the alleged offences and he has been falsely implicated in this case. The complainant had approached Yashwanthpura Police Station on 10.01.2026, making certain allegations against the petitioner. However, in the said complaint, she did not make any allegations regarding sexual intercourse or physical contact with her. But even assuming that, the petitioner had committed the said offence, it was a consensual act between the petitioner and the victim on their own and valid consent. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15974 CRL.P No. 1863 of 2026 6. It is further submitted that the complainant to pressurize the petitioner for marriage, filed a false case by making certain baseless allegations, which are not tenable under law. The petitioner is aged about 24 years and permanent resident of Bengaluru Rural District. He will abide by the conditions imposed by this Court in the event of his release on bail. Making such submissions, learned counsel for the petitioner prays to allow the petition. 7. Per contra, learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent -State vehemently submitted that the manner in which the petitioner had deceived the complainant would show that he had an intention to deceive the complainant from the beginning. The petitioner had misused the innocence of the victim and committed sexual intercourse on several occasions. On account of the said physical relationship, the complainant became pregnant, the said pregnancy has been terminated, and thereafter, the petitioner has refused to marry. Therefore, it is not appropriate to grant the relief as prayed for in this petition. Making such submissions, the learned HCGP for respondent - State prays to reject the petition. - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15974 CRL.P No. 1863 of 2026 8. Having heard learned counsel for the respective parties and on perusal of the averments of the complaint, it would indicate that the complaint contains four pages. The fact remains that the complainant got acquainted with the petitioner in the year 2023. She stayed along with him. Both had physical relationship with each other and thereafter, she lodged a complaint on 10.01.2026, stating that she had been deceived by the petitioner. As per the averment of the complaint, the petitioner had induced her that he would marry her and obtained consent for keeping the physical relationship with her. 9. Assuming that the petitioner had promised her to marry, the said aspect is the triable issue and it has to be decided in the trial. However, having noticed the delay in lodging the complaint, I am of the considered opinion that the petitioner has made out a case to grant him bail. Hence, I proceed to pass the following: ORDER (i) The petition is allowed. (ii) The petitioner is ordered to be enlarged on bail in Crime No.16/2026, pending - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15974 CRL.P No. 1863 of 2026 on the file of XLIX, ACJM, Bangalore for the aforesaid offences on executing personal bond in a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) with one surety for the likesum to the satisfaction of the Trial Court. (iii) The petitioner shall not threaten or tamper the prosecution witnesses nor hamper the proceedings of the Court. (iv) The petitioner shall appear before the Trial Court on all hearing dates without fail. (v) The petitioner shall not involve in any criminal cases till disposal of the case. In case, if the petitioner violates any of the bail conditions as stated above, liberty is reserved to the prosecution to file necessary application for cancellation of bail. Sd/- (S RACHAIAH) JUDGE JS/- List No.: 1 Sl No.: 33