Karnataka High Court
Sri. Prahlada Halageri vs State By on 7 January, 2026
Author: Shivashankar Amarannavar
Bench: Shivashankar Amarannavar
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NC: 2026:KHC:733
CRL.P No. 16061 of 2025
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 7TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR
CRIMINAL PETITION No. 16061 OF 2025 (438(Cr.PC) /
482(BNSS))
BETWEEN:
1. SRI. PRAHLADA HALAGERI
S/O HANUMANTH NAIK
AGED ABOUT 74 YEARS
R/AT No.2202/2, 5TH MAIN
MCC 'A' BLOCK NEAR
PURANTHAR HOSPITAL
SOUTHERN EXTENSION
DAVANAGERE-577 004.
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI. MADHVACHAR M, ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. STATE BY CHANNAGIRI
Digitally signed by POLICE STATION, DAVANAGERE DISTRICT
LAKSHMINARAYANA
MURTHY RAJASHRI REPRESENTED BY.
Location: HIGH STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
COURT OF
KARNATAKA HIGH COURT COMPLEX
BANGALORE-560 001.
...RESPONDENT
(BY SRI HARISH GANAPATHY, HCGP)
THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 Cr.PC (FILED
U/S 482 BNNS) PRAYING TO DIRECT THE STATION HOUSE
OFFICER OF THE CHANNAGIRI POLICE STATION TO RELEASE
THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN
CRIME No.598/2025 FOR OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER
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NC: 2026:KHC:733
CRL.P No. 16061 of 2025
HC-KAR
SECTIONS 341(1), 318(4), 336(3), 316(2), 319/2), 340(2)
R/W 3(5) OF BNS 2023, PRL. CIVIL JUDGE (JR.DN.) AND JMFC
COURT CHANNAGIRI, DAVANAGERE
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 petitioner -accused No.2 under Section 482 of BNSS praying to grant anticipatory bail in Crime No.598/2025 of Chennagiri Police Station registered for offences under Sections 341(1), 318(4), 336(3), 316(2), 319(2), 340(2) read with Section 3(5) of BNS.
2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent
-State.
3. Learned counsel for petitioner would contend that the petitioner is an agent of Bank and he used to collect documents, process and hand over to the Manager for processing the loan. The main allegation is -3- NC: 2026:KHC:733 CRL.P No. 16061 of 2025 HC-KAR against accused No.1 who cheated the complainant. The petitioner is ready to co-operate with the police for investigation. There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner. Offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment or life. With this, he prays to allow the petition.
4. Per contra, learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent -State would contend that the investigation is in progress. The complainant has handed over Demand Draft in the hands of the wife of this petitioner. The petitioner is required for custodial interrogation. He further contends that there are 05 cases registered against this petitioner in Crime Nos. 598/2005, 164/2025, 165/2025, 207/2025, 208/2025 and in all the cases the petitioner is accused.
5. Having heard learned counsels, this Court has perused materials placed on record. -4-
NC: 2026:KHC:733 CRL.P No. 16061 of 2025 HC-KAR
6. On perusal of averments of the complaint, the allegation against this petitioner is that he is working as an agent in the Bank. The complainant through accused No.1 has applied for housing loan. The housing loan was processed and Demand Draft was drawn and the complainant has handed over the said Demand Draft in the hands of wife of this petitioner. The complainant subsequently came to know that no sale deed has been executed in his favour and he has been cheated. At that time the cheques were given to the petitioner. The said cheques on enquiry found to be fake cheques. Considering the above aspects, there is clear involvement of this petitioner in commission of alleged offences. The petitioner is having criminal antecedents and he is involved in 05 cases noted above which involves several lakhs. Considering said aspect, the petitioner is not entitled for grant of discretionary relief of anticipatory bail. Considering the above aspect the petitioner has not made out any grounds for grant of anticipatory bail. -5-
NC: 2026:KHC:733 CRL.P No. 16061 of 2025 HC-KAR In the result, the petition is dismissed.
Sd/-
(SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR) JUDGE DSP List No.: 1 Sl No.: 10 Ct.sm