- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:23918 CRL.P No. 4780 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 29TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 4780 OF 2026 (438(Cr.PC) / 482(BNSS)) BETWEEN: PUNITH KUMAR A S/O. ASHWATHNARAYANA, AGED ABOUT 26 YEARS, NEAR VENKATESHWAR TEMPLE, A. NARAYANAPURA, BENGALURU NORTH, DOORAVANI NAGAR, BENGALURU – 560 016. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. RAVINDRA V G., ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY MAHADEVAPURA POLICE STATION, BENGALURU CITY, REP SPP, HIGH COURT BUILDINGS, BENGALURU – 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY Ms. ASMA KOUSER., ADDL. SPP) Digitally signed by PAVITHRA N Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:23918 CRL.P No. 4780 of 2026 THIS CRL.P FILED U/S 438 CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER PRAYING TO ENLARGE HIM ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CRIME NO.116/2023 OF MAHADEVAPURA POLICE STATION FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION.420, 465, 468, 471 R/W 34 OF IPC, PENDING ON THE FILE OF HON’BLE 29TH A.C.M.M, MAYO HALL AT BANGALORE IN C.C.NO.52704/2023. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH ORAL ORDER 1. This criminal petition is filed by the petitioner who is arrayed as accused No.1 seeking anticipatory bail in Crime No.116/2023 filed by the respondent – Police for the offences punishable under Section 465, 468, 471, 420 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short IPC). Factual matrix of the case: 2. The case of the prosecution is that CW-1 - Sri. R. Shekhar, Tahasildar Grade – II has lodged a complaint stating that one CW-2 –Hanumantharaya had applied for - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:23918 CRL.P No. 4780 of 2026 caste certificate to his son namely Kumar Atharva. He contacted the petitioner herein who was stated to be working at Mahadevapura BBMP Office. The petitioner had promised him to get the certificate done and received all the documents relating to the details of the son of CW-2. The petitioner had given caste certificate to CW-2. Thereafter, CW-2 went to Mahadevapura BBMP office to apply for income certificate. At that time, he has produced the caste certificate. The said caste certificate was sent for verification. After verifying the said documents, the complainant came to know that the caste certificate was forged and fabricated. Hence, the complaint. Based on the said complaint the respondent – Police registered a case conducted investigation and submitted the charge-sheet. 3. Heard Sri. Ravindra V.G., learned counsel for the petitioner and Smt. Asma Kouser, learned Additional Special Public Prosecutor for respondent. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is innocent of the alleged offences. He has - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:23918 CRL.P No. 4780 of 2026 been falsely implicated in this case. In fact, there is no connection between the petitioner and CW-2. The petitioner is not working in BBMP Office at Bangalore. The investigation is completed and the charge-sheet has been submitted. The petitioner would assist for further investigation if so required. The petitioner is a permanent resident of Narayanapura, Bangalore. He will abide by the conditions to be imposed by this Court in the event of his release on bail. Making such submission learned counsel for the petitioner prays to allow the petition. 5. Per Contra, learned Additional Special Public Prosecutor for respondent – State of Karnataka vehemently submitted that custodial interrogation is very much essential. The petitioner might have been involved in many cases. If, the petitioner is enlarged on bail there may be chances of not co-operating with the investigation. The offence committed by the petitioner is heinous in nature as the petitioner had forged the bar code and signature of the Tahasildar. Hence, it is not appropriate to - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:23918 CRL.P No. 4780 of 2026 grant the relief as prayed for. Making such submissions learned Additional Special Public Prosecutor for respondent – State of Karnataka prays to reject the petition. 6. Heard learned counsel for the respective parties and perused the averments of the charge-sheet. It appears from the record that CW-2 had applied for the caste certificate and approached the petitioner herein. The petitioner herein has assured CW-2 that he would get the work done and received all the details. Thereafter, he has issued a caste certificate to CW-2. By keeping the said caste certificate, CW-2 had applied for income certificate. At that time, it was verified and found that it was forged and complaint has been lodged by the complainant who was working as Tahasildar – Grade – II. 7. Be that as it may, in the present case, Investigating Officer has filed a charge-sheet after completing the investigation. Hence, the petitioner may be enlarged on bail by imposing suitable conditions that would take care of the apprehension of the prosecution. - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:23918 CRL.P No. 4780 of 2026 8. Hence, I proceed to pass the following: ORDER (i) This Criminal Petition is allowed. (ii) The petitioner is ordered to be enlarged on bail, in the event of his arrest, in Crime No.116/2023 filed by the respondent – Police for the offences punishable under Section 465, 468, 471, 420, of IPC, 1860, on executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh) with one (01) surety to the like sum to the satisfaction of the Investigating Officer. (iii) The petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer within a period of one (01) month from the date of receipt of this order, to execute the personal bond and also to furnish surety. (iv) The petitioner shall co-operate with the investigation as and when it is required. (v) The petitioner shall appear before the Trial Court on all hearing dates, without fail. - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:23918 CRL.P No. 4780 of 2026 (vi) The petitioner shall not threaten the prosecution witnesses nor hamper the Court proceedings. In case 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 NM