- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3574 CRL.P No. 16188 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 22ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION No. 16188 OF 2025 (438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)) BETWEEN: 1. SRI SATHISH AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS S/O PUTTASWAMY GOWDA MALLENAHALLI VILLAGE CHIKKAMGALURU DISTRICT – 577 101. …PETITIONER (BY SRI JAGADEESHA K J, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY CHIKKAMAGALURU RURAL P S REP. BY SPP HIGH COURT BUILDING BENGALURU – 01. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI HARISH GANAPATHY, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 (FILED UNDER SECTION 482 BNSS) Cr.P.C PRAYING TO GRANT ANTICIPATORY BAIL AND DIRECT THE RESPONDENT POLICE TO RELEASE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF ARREST IN CRIME No.360/2025 OF CHIKKAMAGALURU RURAL POLICE ON THE FILE OF THE II ADDL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE AT CHIKKAMAGALURU FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 3,7 OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES ACT 1955 AND SECTION 3,4 OF THE GAS Digitally signed by LAKSHMINARAYANA MURTHY RAJASHRI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3574 CRL.P No. 16188 of 2025 SUPPLY ACT (LPG ACT REGULATIONS AND SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION ORDER 2000) 1939, AND SECTION 287 OF BNS 2023. THIS PETITION COMING ON FOR ORDERS THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR ORAL ORDER 1. This petition is filed by accused No. 1 under Section 482 of BNSS praying to grant anticipatory bail in crime No. 360/2025 of Chikkamagaluru Rural Police Station registered for offences under Sections 3 and 7 of Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and Sections 3 and 4 of Gas Supply Act (LPG Act Regulation and Supply Distribution Order 2000), 1939 and Section 287 of BNS. 2. Heard Learned counsel for petitioner and Learned HCGP for respondent - State. 3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend that the offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. Maximum sentence that can be imposed for offences - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3574 CRL.P No. 16188 of 2025 alleged against the petitioner is imprisonment which may extend to 7 years. Cylinders have already been seized. Petitioner undertakes to cooperate with the Police in the investigation and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court. There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner. With this he prayed to allow the petition. 4. Per contra learned HCGP would contend that total 30 cylinders have been seized from the premises of the petitioner. Out of them, 16 were filled and 14 were empty cylinders. This indicates organized black marketing of cylinders. Said cylinders were stored in public place and it affects the safety of the persons residing in and around the said place. Petitioner is required for custodial interrogation. With this he prayed to reject the petition. 5. Having heard learned counsel for the parties this Court has perused the FIR, complaint and other materials placed on record. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3574 CRL.P No. 16188 of 2025 6. Food Inspector had received credible information and went to the house of the petitioner and found stored 30 cylinders and at that time wife of the petitioner was present. Said 30 cylinders have been seized and they belong to HP, Indane, Bharat companies and include commercial and domestic cylinders. Said cylinders have been seized under mahazar. Offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. Maximum sentence that is provided for offences alleged is imprisonment, which may extend to seven years. Petitioner has undertaken to cooperate with the investigation and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court. Petitioner is not having any criminal antecedents. 7. Considering the above aspects petitioner has made out case for grant of anticipatory bail with conditions. 8. In the result the following; - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3574 CRL.P No. 16188 of 2025 O R D E R Petition is allowed. Petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of his arrest in crime No. 360/2025 Chikkamagaluru Rural Police Station subject to following conditions: I. Petitioner shall voluntarily appear before the Investigating Officer within 15 days from this day and execute bail bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety for the likesum to satisfaction of the Investigating officer. II. Petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer whenever called for and cooperate for investigation. III. Petitioner shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3574 CRL.P No. 16188 of 2025 Court or to any Police officer or tamper with the evidence. Sd/- (SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR) JUDGE LRS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 10 Ct.sm