- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1209 CRL.P No. 14679 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 9TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14679 OF 2025 BETWEEN: VARADARAJA @ KAJJI S/O RANGASWAMY, AGED ABOUT 23 YEARS, OCC: LABOURER, R/O NEAR CHURCH, KAMANABHAVI BADAVANE, CHITRADURGA TOWN, CHITRADURGA-577 501 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. RAVINDRA B.DESHPANDE., ADVOCATE) AND: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY CHITRADURGA TOWN POLICE STATION, CHITRADURGA SUB DIVISION, CHITRADURGA- 577 501 REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDINGS, BENGALURU- 560 001 …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI.K., HCGP) Digitally signed by SUMA Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1209 CRL.P No. 14679 of 2025 THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 439 CR.PC (FILED U/S 483 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER/ACCUSED NO.2 ON BAIL IN S.C NO.78/2023, ON THE FILE OF PRL. DIST. AND SESSIONS JUDGE, CHITRADURGA (CHARGE SHEETED FOR THE O/P/U/S 143, 147, 148, 504, 323, 506, 302 R/W 149 IPC IN CR.NO.24/2023 OF CHITRADURGA TOWN P.S, CHITRADURGA). THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ ORAL ORDER Petitioner / accused No.2 is seeking to enlarge him on bail in SC.No.78/2023, pending on the file of the Court of Principal District and Sessions Judge, Chitradurga. The above Sessions case arises out of the charge sheet filed by Chitradurga town police in their Station Crime.No.24/2023. 2. Charge sheet is filed against accused Nos.1 to 4 for the offence punishable under Section 302, 143, 147, 148, 504, 323, 506 and 149 IPC. Undisputedly, this Court has rejected the prayer of the petitioner for bail on two - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1209 CRL.P No. 14679 of 2025 occasions, in Crl.P.No.13398/2023 dated 18.01.2024 and Crl.P.No.12646/2024 dated 12.02.2025. Further, Crl.P.No.6368/2025 was dismissed as not pressed vide order dated 19.06.2025. 3. The instant petition is filed on the ground that the petitioner has been languishing in judicial custody since 20.12.2023 and the other accused, namely accused Nos.1, 3 and 4 are already enlarged on bail. 4. The learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that the bail petition of accused No.1 was allowed by this Court in Crl.P.No.12939/2024, vide order dated 05.03.2025, and he has been enlarged on bail. He contended that even the said petitioner is alleged to have assaulted the deceased with a radium cutter blade on his forehead. He, therefore, contended that the petitioner, who is languishing in judicial custody, may be enlarged on bail by imposing any conditions. He further contended that all the material witnesses are already examined and - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1209 CRL.P No. 14679 of 2025 therefore, further detention of the petitioner is not warranted. 5. Learned HCGP has opposed the prayer seeking bail, contending that the trial is at the fag end and the petitioner is the main accused, who stabbed the deceased with a knife on his abdomen, which resulted in his death. He contended that subsequent to the grant of bail to accused No.1, the petitioner approached this Court in Crl.P.No.6368/2025 and the said petition was dismissed as not pressed. He therefore contended that there is no merit in the petition. 6. As already noted, the prayer of the petitioner was rejected by this Court on merits on two occasions. In the above referred petitions preferred by the petitioner, this Court has taken into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the offence committed. As could be seen from the material on record, it is this petitioner who stabbed the deceased with a knife on his abdomen. While granting bail to accused - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1209 CRL.P No. 14679 of 2025 No.1, the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court has taken into consideration the postmortem report of the deceased, which indicates that the death was due to stab injuries suffered by the deceased on his abdomen. The said injury was inflicted, as per prosecution and as per the statements of the witnesses, by the petitioner/accused No.2. Further, insofar as accused Nos.3 and 4 are concerned, there are no allegations that they have inflicted any injuries to the deceased with any dangerous weapon. Hence, grant of bail to the Co-accused will not enure to the benefit of the petitioner. Further, considering the nature and gravity of the offence, incarceration undergone by the petitioner is also not a ground to enlarge him on bail. 7. Learned High Court Government Pleader contended that PW.2, an eyewitness to the incident, has supported the case of prosecution and he has clearly stated that it is this petitioner who stabbed the deceased with a knife on his abdomen. This Court cannot make any - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1209 CRL.P No. 14679 of 2025 observations on the evidence adduced before the trial Court, which may prejudice the trial of the case. However, taking into consideration the entire facts and circumstances, and also considering that the trial is at the fag end, this Court is of the considered view that petitioner is not entitled for bail. Hence, the following:- ORDER i) Petition is dismissed. ii) The learned trial Court shall make all endeavour to conclude the trial at the earliest. Sd/- (MOHAMMAD NAWAZ) JUDGE LDC List No.: 1 Sl No.: 4