- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:2658 CRL.P No. 17696 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 19TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR CRIMINAL PETITION No. 17696 OF 2025 (439(Cr.PC) / 483(BNSS)) BETWEEN: SRI MANJUNATHA K B S/O. BOREGOWDA AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEER CHAMUNDESHWARI ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CORPORATION LTD., ARASIKERE SUB-DIVISION ARASIKERE TALUK HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 103. …PETITIONER (BY SRI RAJASHEKARA T B, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY THE KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTHA POLICE STATION HASSAN DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY ITS SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING DR BR AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BENGALURU-560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI.MANISH R ; SRI. B.B. PATIL.,ADVOCATE) Digitally signed by LAKSHMINARAYANA MURTHY RAJASHRI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:2658 CRL.P No. 17696 of 2025 THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 CR.P.C (UNDER SECTION 483 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL WHO HAS BEEN ARRAYED AS ACCUSED IN CR.No.10/2025 DATED:17.12.2025 REGISTERED BY THE RESPONDENT IN KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA P.S., HASSAN, FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 7(a) OF THE P.C ACT, 1988. 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 sole accused under Section 483 of BNSS praying to grant bail in Crime No.10/2025 of Karnataka Lokayuktha Police Station, Hassan registered for offence punishable under Section 7(a) of Prevention of Corruption Act. 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the respondent. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that on the allegation of demand of bribe, trap has been laid on the petitioner. After that, trap mahazar has been drawn and articles have been seized. In the - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:2658 CRL.P No. 17696 of 2025 cases of trap, the major portion of the investigation will be completed on the day of trap except receipt of FSL report. The petitioner is in judicial custody since 18.12.2025 and as major portion of the investigation is over, he is not required for further custodial interrogations. With this, he prayed to allow the petition. 4. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondent would contend that on behalf of one Sai Prasad, the complainant has sought additional power supply for which the petitioner has demanded bribe of Rs.25,000/-. The petitioner was found caught while accepting bribe amount. Trap mahazar has been drawn. There is clear demand and acceptance of bribe which attracts the offence punishable under Section 7(a) of Prevention of Corruption Act. With this, he prays to reject the petition. 5. Having heard learned counsels, this Court has perused the FIR, complaint and other materials placed on record. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:2658 CRL.P No. 17696 of 2025 6. The complainant who is Electric Contractor on behalf of Sai Prasad has sought supply of additional power for which it is alleged that the petitioner has demanded bribe of Rs.25,000/-. The trap has been laid and there is recovery of bribe amount of Rs.25,000/-. The trap mahazar has also been drawn. In cases of trap, major portion of investigation would be completed on the day of trap itself. Since one month, the petitioner is in judicial custody and only FSL report is awaited. Major portion of the investigation is completed. The petitioner is not having any criminal antecedents. The maximum punishment for the offence alleged is imprisonment for a period of 07 years. 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. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:2658 CRL.P No. 17696 of 2025 ii) The petitioner is granted bail in Crime No.10/2025 2025 of Karnataka Lokayuktha Police Station, Hassan registered for offence punishable under Section 7(a) of Prevention of Corruption Act subject to following conditions: a) The petitioner -accused 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 shall co-operate with Investigating Officer in further investigation if any. c) The petitioner -accused shall not tamper the prosecution witnesses either directly or indirectly. d) The petitioner -accused shall attend the trial Court on all dates hearing unless exempted - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:2658 CRL.P No. 17696 of 2025 and co-operate for speedy disposal of the case. Sd/- (SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR) JUDGE DSP List No.: 1 Sl No.: 18 Ct.sm