Karnataka High Court
Manoj Kumar G vs State Of Karnataka on 26 May, 2026
-1-
NC: 2026:KHC:25278
CRL.P No. 5280 of 2026
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 26TH DAY OF MAY, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R. NATARAJ
CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 5280 OF 2026
BETWEEN:
1. MANOJ KUMAR G,
S/O GOPALAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS,
2. PRADEEP. T,
S/O THIPPESHAPPA,
AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS,
3. PRAVEEN KUMAR T,
S/O THIPPESWAMY,
AGED ABOUT 25 YEARS
ALL ARE RESIDING AT
DUMMIGOLARAHATTI,
HOLALKERE TALUK,
CHITRADURGA - 577 531.
Digitally ...PETITIONERS
signed by
HEMALATHA J (BY SRI. SUMANTH ULLOD, ADVOCATE)
Location:
HIGH COURT AND:
OF
KARNATAKA
STATE OF KARNATAKA,
BY HOLALKERE P.S.,
REPRESENTED BY
STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,
HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA,
BENGALURU - 560 001.
...RESPONDENT
(BY SMT.WAHEEDA M.M., HCGP)
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NC: 2026:KHC:25278
CRL.P No. 5280 of 2026
HC-KAR
THIS CRL.P. IS FILED U/S 438 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 482
BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONERS ON ANTICIPATORY
BAIL IN CASE OF THEIR ARREST IN CONNECTION TO CR.NO.50/2026
FOR THE OFFENCE P/U/S 189(2), 191(2), 191(3), 352, 115(2),
118(1), 74, 351(2), 190, 109(1) OF BNS 2023 FILED BY THE
RESPONDENT POLICE ON THE FILE OF SENIOR CIVIL JUDGE AND
J.M.F.C HOLALKERE, CHITRADURGA DISTRICT.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER
WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R. NATARAJ
ORAL ORDER
The petitioners have filed this petition under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (henceforth referred to as 'BNSS, 2023') seeking anticipatory bail in the event of their arrest in Crime No.0050/2026, registered by the respondent for the offences punishable under Sections 189(2), 191(2), 191(3), 352, 115(2), 118(1), 74, 351(2), 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (henceforth referred to as 'BNS') pending consideration before the Senior Civil Judge and JMFC Court, Holalkere, Chitradurga District.
2. (i) Briefly stated, the allegations against the petitioners that can be gathered from the information furnished -3- NC: 2026:KHC:25278 CRL.P No. 5280 of 2026 HC-KAR by the complainant on 21.02.2026 are that there was a feud between the complainant and the petitioners over a manure pit. He alleged that the petitioners were quarreling with them over the said issue and were abusing him. He claimed that on 21.02.2026 at about 09.15 a.m., when he and his brother were standing in front of his brother's house. The petitioners along with others formed an unlawful assembly and went near them and abused them for laying a manure pit in their land. While the complainant claimed that the manure pit was laid next to the road, the petitioners abused him and assaulted him.
(ii) He also alleged that the petitioners Nos.2 and 3 assaulted him with a chopper on his head, while the petitioner No.1 assaulted him with an iron rod on his left elbow. He also claimed that when his brother intervened, he was also assaulted. Thereafter, when his father intervened, he too was assaulted while his sister-in-law was dragged around and her modesty was outraged.
(iii) He also alleged that her sister-in-law was assaulted on the left hand and right knee with an iron rod. He claimed that some villagers thereafter intervened and pacified the -4- NC: 2026:KHC:25278 CRL.P No. 5280 of 2026 HC-KAR situation. However, the petitioners threatened to kill the complainant and his family members if they made any claim over the manure pit. The complainant therefore requested the respondent police to initiate suitable action against the petitioner.
(iv) Based on this, a case in Crime No.0050/2026, registered by the respondent for the offences punishable under Sections 189(2), 191(2), 191(3), 352, 115(2), 118(1), 74, 351(2), 190 of the BNS, 2023. The petitioners apprehending arrest filed a Crl.Misc.No.258/2026, which was rejected by the Court in terms of an order dated 17.03.2026. Therefore, the petitioners are before this Court, seeking anticipatory bail.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submit that the offences alleged against the petitioners are all false and they contend that the civil dispute between the complainant and the petitioners is given a criminal flavour. They also contend that the offences alleged are neither punishable with death or life imprisonment and that they are willing to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. He contends that petitioners are respectable persons in the locality and there are -5- NC: 2026:KHC:25278 CRL.P No. 5280 of 2026 HC-KAR no criminal antecedents. He submits that the petitioners apprehend arrest and contend that petitioners are ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court.
4. Per contra, learned High Court Government Pleader submitted that the petitioners have assaulted not only the complainant but also his other family members and therefore, it is necessary to involve the petitioners in the investigation. She submits that if the petitioners are granted anticipatory bail, it is very likely that they will not cooperate with the Investigating Officer. Therefore, she prays that the petition be dismissed.
5. I have considered the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent.
6. A perusal of the complaint would indicate that there is an ongoing civil dispute between the petitioners and the complainant over laying a manure pit. While the petitioners claim that the manure pit was laid in their land, the complainant claimed that it was laid adjacent to a public road. Therefore, it is evident that the alleged offence is a spin-off of a civil dispute between the parties. Be that as it may, since the -6- NC: 2026:KHC:25278 CRL.P No. 5280 of 2026 HC-KAR offences alleged against the petitioners are not grave and are not punishable with death or life imprisonment, the custodial interrogation of the petitioners is not warranted. There are no criminal antecedents so as to deny anticipatory bail to the petitioners.
7. In that view of the matter, the petitioners are entitled to be granted anticipatory bail. Consequently, the following order is passed:
ORDER i. The petition is allowed;
ii. The respondent is directed to release the petitioners on bail in the event of their arrest in Crime No.0050/2026, registered by the respondent for the offences punishable under Sections 189(2), 191(2), 191(3), 352, 115(2), 118(1), 74, 351(2), 190 of the BNS, 2023, subject to the following conditions:
a. They shall be released on bail in the event of their arrest or they executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.50,000/-(Rupees Fifty Thousand -7- NC: 2026:KHC:25278 CRL.P No. 5280 of 2026 HC-KAR Only) each with a solvent surety for the likesum and to the satisfaction of the Trial Court.
b. They shall make themselves available for interrogation on every Saturday at 11.00 a.m. or as and when required by the Investigating Officer.
c. They shall not directly or indirectly induce threat or promise to any person, who knows the facts of the case or/and they shall not tamper with the evidence in any manner whatsoever.
d. They shall not indulge in similar offences. e. They shall not leave the jurisdiction of the Court without the previous permission of the Court. In the event of violation of any of the above conditions, it is open for the Investigating Officer to seek for cancellation of the anticipatory bail granted.
Sd/-
(R. NATARAJ) JUDGE BKN/List No.: 1 Sl No.: 56