- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:766 CRL.P No. 16156 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 7TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION No. 16156 OF 2025 (439(Cr.PC) / 483(BNSS)) BETWEEN: 1. NAGETI SIVA PRUDHVIRAJ S/O. NAGETI THIPPESWAMY AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS RESIDING AT No. 28-6-365 LIG-647, HOUSING BOARD COLONY ANANTHAPURA NAGAR AND DISTRICT ANDHRA PRADESH – 515 001. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. VENKATA REDDY G K, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY HULIMAVU PS BANGALORE -560 076. REP.BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BANGALORE – 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI MOHD. AYUB ALI, ADDL. SPP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 Cr.P.C (UNDER SECTION 483 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE HIM ON BAIL IN CR.No.320/2025 REGISTERED BY THE HULIMAVU POLICE, FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 80 AND 85 OF BNS. Digitally signed by LAKSHMINARAYANA MURTHY RAJASHRI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:766 CRL.P No. 16156 of 2025 THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR ORAL ORDER This petition is filed by the petitioner -accused No.1 under Section 483 of BNSS praying to grant bail in Crime No.320/2025 of Hulimavu Police Station registered for offences punishable under Sections 80 and 85 of BNS. 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Additional SPP for respondent –State. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner could contend that the marriage of petitioner and deceased has taken place on 10.06.2023 and both were divorcees at the time of their marriage. The deceased became pregnant and there was premature delivery after 07 months and the baby boy was born. The petitioner has looked after the medical expenses of delivery etc., and thereafter, the deceased was taken to Anantapur. Thereafter, the deceased went to her parent’s house along with the child - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:766 CRL.P No. 16156 of 2025 and resided there. The petitioner has sent regularly money to the deceased and in that regard screenshot of payment made by phonepe has been produced. Therefore, there is no question of petitioner and his family members demanding any money from the parents of the deceased. The mother of this petitioner filed complaint in CEN, Police Station, Ananthapur regarding harassment by the deceased to them. In the said complaint, the deceased appeared before the police and gave undertaking that she will return back to her in-law’s house and she will not trouble anyone during that period. The petitioner has filed divorce petition against the deceased in the Family Court, Ananthapur and notice has been issued to the deceased and has been served on 15.10.2025. Immediately after 02 days the deceased committed suicide by hanging in the house of her parents. The deceased was residing in the house of her parents and therefore, there is no question of any harassment by the petitioner and his family members. The diseased was not mentally strong, maybe she, after - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:766 CRL.P No. 16156 of 2025 receipt of divorce notice, depressed with the same, might have committed suicide. The petitioner is ready to co- operate with the police in further investigation and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court. With this, he prayed to allow the petition. 4. Per contra, learned Additional SPP for respondent –State would contend that the investigation is in progress. The statement of the father of the deceased clearly indicates that there is demand of dowry by this petitioner and his family members. Due to the same, the deceased has committed suicide by hanging. The offence alleged against the petitioner is heinous offence punishable with imprisonment which may extend upto 10 years. With this, he prayed to reject the petition. 5. Having heard learned counsels, the Court has perused the FIR, complaint and other matters placed on record. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:766 CRL.P No. 16156 of 2025 6. The petitioner and the deceased were divorcees prior to their marriage which has taken place on 10.06.2023. The deceased became pregnant and gave birth to baby boy and it was premature delivery at 07 months. It is stated that the petitioner has borne all medical expenses of delivery etc., and thereafter, the deceased was taken to Ananthapur. The deceased subsequently went to her parent’s house and resided there. The mother of this petitioner has filed a complaint against the deceased regarding her harassment. With regard to said complaint, the deceased appeared before the Ananthapura Police and given her undertaking that she will return to her in-laws' house once she is stable and she will not trouble anyone. In the said undertaking, she had earlier made an attempt to commit suicide, as she was felt depressed with the misunderstanding from husband and she will not repeat that kind of attempt or behavior in future. At the time of suicide, the deceased was residing with her parents in Bangalore. It is submitted that the - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:766 CRL.P No. 16156 of 2025 petitioner had filed divorce petition in Family Court, Ananthpur and summons has been served on the deceased on 15.10.2025. Whether the deceased committed suicide as she was harassed by the petitioner and his family members demanding dowry is matter of investigation. The petitioner is in custody since 06.11.2025. As major portion of the investigation is over, he is not required for further custodial interrogation. The offence alleged against the petitioner is not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner. Considering the above aspects, the petitioner has made out case for grant of bail with conditions. 7. In the result, the following ORDER i) The petition is allowed. - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:766 CRL.P No. 16156 of 2025 ii) The petitioner is granted bail in a Crime No.320/2025 of Hulimavu Police Station subject to following conditions: a) The petitioner –accused No.1 shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety for the like sum to the satisfaction of the jurisdictional Court. b) The petitioner –accused No.1 shall not tamper the prosecution witnesses either directly or indirectly. c) The petitioner –accused No.1 shall attend the trial Court on all dates hearing unless exempted and co-operate for speedy disposal of the case. Sd/- (SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR) JUDGE DSP List No.: 1 Sl No.: 18 Ct.sm