Karnataka High Court
G. V. Narasimhappa vs State By Karnataka Lokayukta on 8 January, 2026
Author: Shivashankar Amarannavar
Bench: Shivashankar Amarannavar
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NC: 2026:KHC:1063
CRL.P No. 16459 of 2025
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 8TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR
CRIMINAL PETITION No. 16459 OF 2025 (439(Cr.PC) /
483(BNSS))
BETWEEN:
1. G. V. NARASIMHAPPA
S/O VENKATAPPA
AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS
WORKING AS METER READER, BWSSB
MARUTHI NAGARA, BTM 2ND STAGE
MADIVALA, BANGALORE
KARNATAKA-560 041.
R/AT
No.B2/1, BWSSB QUARTERS
7TH A MAIN, JAYANAGARA 5TH BLOCK
BANGALORE - 560 041.
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI VIVEK REDDY, SENIOR ADVOCATE FOR
Digitally signed by SRI PRAVEEN C P, ADVOCATE)
LAKSHMINARAYANA
MURTHY RAJASHRI
Location: HIGH AND:
COURT OF
KARNATAKA
1. STATE BY KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA
BENGALURU CITY DIVISION
REP BY ITS SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
HIGH COURT COMPLEX
BANGALORE-560 001.
...RESPONDENT
(BY SRI MANISH R, ADVOCATE FOR
SRI B B PATIL, ADVOCATE)
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NC: 2026:KHC:1063
CRL.P No. 16459 of 2025
HC-KAR
THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 CR.PC (FILED
UNDER SECTION 483 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE
ACCUSED ON REGULAR BAIL, IN CRIME No.56/2025
REGISTERED BY KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA BANGALORE CITY
DIVISION P.S. BANGALORE FOR OFFENCES PUNISHABLE
UNDER SECTIONS 7(A) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION
AMENDMENT ACT, 2018, ON ANY REASONABLE CONDITION/S
THAT THIS HONBLE COURT DEEMS FIT, JUST AND EXPEDIENT
UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS CASE.
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.56/2025 of Karnataka Lokayukta, Bangalore, registered for offence punishable under Section 7(a) of Prevention of Corruption Act.
2. Heard learned Senior Counsel for petitioner and learned counsel for respondent.
3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend that the petitioner alleged to have demanded bribe from the complainant and has received monthly Rs.2,000/- from him and again when he demanded the amount, complaint -3- NC: 2026:KHC:1063 CRL.P No. 16459 of 2025 HC-KAR has been made against him and a trap has been laid and at the time of trap he found having received Rs.10,000/- as bait amount from the complainant. Trap mahazar has been drawn. The case of the prosecution is based on documents. The petitioner is in custody since 20.11.2025 and as major portion of the investigation is over, he is not required for further custodial interrogation. The petitioner is working as a Meter reader and he can be secured easily for further investigation. The offence alleged against the petitioner is not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. With this, he prays to allow the petition.
4. Per contra, learned counsel for respondent would contend that petitioner is working as a Meter reader in BWSSB. The complainant is running a restaurant. The petitioner had made an agreement with the complainant to reduce the water bill amount in monthly bill for consideration of Rs.2,000/- per month and he has received accordingly. When he further demanded the complaint has -4- NC: 2026:KHC:1063 CRL.P No. 16459 of 2025 HC-KAR been made, trap has been laid. The conversation of the petitioner and the complainant has been recorded which clearly indicate demand and acceptance of the bribe. There is a dereliction of duty on the part of the petitioner in reducing the bill amount of the complainant. There is a prima-facie case against the petitioner. 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. The petitioner is working as a Meter reader in BWSSB. The complainant is running a restaurant. The petitioner demanded Rs.2,000/- as bribe per month for reducing the bill amount and accordingly, the complainant paid him Rs.2,000/- for several months. When petitioner again demanded money, a complaint has been made to the Lokayukta Police. Trap has been laid and during trap the petitioner was found having received Rs.10,000/- bait amount from the complainant. The trap mahazar has been -5- NC: 2026:KHC:1063 CRL.P No. 16459 of 2025 HC-KAR drawn. The petitioner has been arrested on the date of trap i.e. 20.11.2025 and he is in judicial custody since then. In cases of trap generally major portion of the investigation will be over on the day of trap. The offence alleged against the petitioner is not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. The petitioner can be secured easily for further investigation and trial.
7. Considering the above aspects, the petitioner has made out case for grant of bail with conditions. In the result, the following ORDER The petition is allowed. The petitioner is granted bail in Crime No.56/2025 of Karnataka Lokayukta, Bengaluru City Division, subject to following conditions:
(i) Petitioner shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety to the satisfaction of trial Court.-6-
NC: 2026:KHC:1063 CRL.P No. 16459 of 2025 HC-KAR
(ii) Petitioner shall not tamper the prosecution witnesses either directly or indirectly.
(iii) Petitioner shall attend the trial Court on all dates of hearing unless exempted and co-operate for speedy disposal of the case.
Sd/-
(SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR) JUDGE DKB List No.: 1 Sl No.: 12 Ct.sm