- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:532 CRL.P No. 15842 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 6TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION No. 15842 OF 2025 (439(Cr.PC) / 483(BNSS)) BETWEEN: 1. HARSHAVARDHAN M R S/O RAMANAIK R AGED ABOUT 26 YEARS R/AT MEGALAPALYA VILLAGE Y N HOSAKOTE HOBLI, PAVAGADA TALUK NOW RESIDING AT VINAYAKA NAGARA, PAVAGADA TOWN, TUMAKURU DISTRICT. …PETITIONER (BY SRI NATARAJU T, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY PAVAGADA POLICE STATION TUMAKURU DISTRICT NOW REPRESENTED BY SPP HIGH COURT BUILDING BENGALURU – 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI HARISH GANAPATHY, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 Cr.PC (FILED UNDER SECTION 483 BNSS) PRAYING TO ALLOW THE PETITION AND ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON REGULAR BAIL IN CR.No.236/2025 FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 74,75(1),115(2),351(2),352 OF BNS 2023. Digitally signed by LAKSHMINARAYANA MURTHY RAJASHRI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:532 CRL.P No. 15842 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 sole accused under Section 483 of BNSS praying to grant bail in Crime No.236/2025 of Pavagada Police Station registered for the offences under Sections 74, 75(1), 115(2), 351(2), 352 of BNS. 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned HCGP for respondent – State. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that maximum sentence provided for the offence alleged against the petitioner is imprisonment for five years. Petitioner is in custody since last more than two months. The investigation is over and charge sheet has been filed. There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner. With this he prayed to allow the petition. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:532 CRL.P No. 15842 of 2025 4. Per contra, learned HCGP would contend that the petitioner has outraged the modesty of victim lady and torn her nighty, abused her and pushed her. If the petitioner is granted bail, there is threat to the victim lady and other prosecution witnesses. With this he prayed to reject the petition. 5. Having heard the learned counsel, the Court has perused the FIR, complaint and other materials placed on record. 6. As per the averments of the FIR the petitioner on 23.10.2025 at about 10.45 P.M. when victim lady was attending nature call tried to hold her and when she screamed, he assaulted with hand and torn her nighty and when she tried to escape, he abused and pushed her and also threatened her. The major portion of investigation is over and it is submitted that charge sheet has been filed. The petitioner is in judicial custody since 25.10.2025 and as the charge sheet is filed, the petitioner is not required for custodial interrogation. The offence alleged against the - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:532 CRL.P No. 15842 of 2025 petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner. 7. Considering the above aspects, the petitioner has made out case for grant of bail with conditions. In the result, the following: ORDER Petition is allowed. Petitioner is granted bail in Crime No.236/2025 of Pavagada Police Station, subject to following conditions: a) The petitioner shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety for the like sum to the satisfaction of trial Court. b) The petitioner shall not tamper the prosecution witnesses either directly or indirectly. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:532 CRL.P No. 15842 of 2025 c) The petitioner shall attend the trial Court on all dates hearing unless exempted and co- operate for speedy disposal of the case. Sd/- (SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR) JUDGE DKB List No.: 1 Sl No.: 29 Ct.sm