J G Pradeep v. The State of Karnataka

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 12280 OF 2026 BETWEEN:

¶1J.G. PRADEEP S/O GANGADHARASETTY AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS R/O MARKET ROAD, JAVAGAL TOWN ARASIKERE TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 201. …PETITIONER (BY SRI HARISH SHIRALAKOPPA, ADV., FOR SRI MADHU M.T, ADV.) AND:

¶1THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY JAVAGAL POLICE STATION ARSIKERE TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 201, REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING BANGALORE - 01. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI RAHUL RAI K, HCGP)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 CR.P.C (U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO PASS AN ORDER FOR THE RELEASE OF THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST ARISING OUT OF CR.NO.45/2026 AGAINST THE PETITIONER REGISTERED BY JAVAGAL P.S., ARASIKERE, HASSAN DISTRICT, FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 314,316(5),318(4) OF BNS, 2023, PENDING BEFORE THE ADDL. CIVIL JUDGE (JR.DN) AND JMFC COURT, AT ARASIKERE.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY

Digitally signed by NANDINI M S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

ORAL ORDER

¶1Accused in Crime No.45/2026 registered by Javagal Police Station, Hassan, for the offences punishable under Sections 314, 316(5) and 318(4) of BNS, 2023, is before this Court in this petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, seeking anticipatory bail.

¶2Heard the learned counsel for the parties.

¶3FIR in Crime No.45/2026 was registered by Javagal Police Station, Hassan, for the aforesaid offences against petitioner herein based on the first information dated 21.04.2026 received from Jayakumar, authorized representative of HDCC Bank, Javagal Branch, Hassan. Apprehending arrest in the case, petitioner had filed Crl.Misc.No.596/2026, which was dismissed by the jurisdictional Sessions Court on 20.06.2026. Therefore, he is before this Court.

¶4Perusal of the material on record would go to show that petitioner was earlier working as Deputy Manager in the Hassan District Co-Operative Central Bank Limited. The allegation against him is that while he was in service, he had transferred

amounts from the Fixed Deposit of the customers of the bank to the savings account of ten other customers, who were having account in the aforesaid bank. Though it is alleged in the first information that petitioner has totally misappropriated a sum of Rs.1,19,17,498/-, except stating that petitioner has transferred the aforesaid amount to the account of various other bank account holders, there is no allegation that he has withdrawn the said amount in collusion with the ten bank account holders. There is no mention in the first information that ten persons to whose bank account the aforesaid amount was transferred have used the said amount. Beneficiaries of the said money transfer are not arraigned as accused in the FIR. Petitioner, who has no other criminal antecedents has undertaken to co-operate with the police for the purpose of investigation. Considering the nature of allegations found in the first information and the inordinate delay in approaching the police, the following order:-

¶5The petition is allowed. The respondent - Police or any other police in the State of Karnataka are directed to release the petitioner in the event of his arrest in Crime No.45/2026

registered by Javagal Police Station, Hassan, for the offences punishable under Sections 314, 316(5) and 318(4) of BNS, 2023, subject to the following conditions:

¶1The Petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer within 15 days from the date of receipt of the copy of this order and shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- with two sureties for the likesum to the satisfaction of the investigating officer.

¶2Petitioner shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons.

¶3Petitioner shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses and he shall co-operate with the police for investigation and appear before them whenever called upon.

¶4The petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future.

Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE DN List No.: 1 Sl No.: 70