Sri Ravi @ Ravichandra O v. State of Karnataka

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 19TH DAY OF MAY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. V. ARAVIND CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 7158 OF 2026 [(439(Cr.PC) / 483(BNSS)] BETWEEN:

SRI. RAVI @ RAVICHANDRA O., S/O OBAIAH, AGED ABOUT 23 YEARS, R/AT NO.79, VADERAHALLI LAYOUT, VIDYARANYAPURA POST, BANGALORE NORTH TALUK, BANGALORE - 560 097. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. G. NARASI REDDY, ADVOCATE) AND:

STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY VIDYARANYAPURA P.S., REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU - 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. NAGESHWARAPPA K., HCGP)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 OF CR.PC (FILED UNDER SECTION 483 OF BNSS) PRAYING TO RELEASE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL, IN CRIME NO.119/2026 OF VIDHYARANYAPURA POLICE STATION, FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 109, 352 READ WITH 3(5) OF THE B.N.S., 2023, WHICH IS PENDING BEFORE THE VII ADDITIONAL CMM COURT, AT BENGALURU CITY.

Digitally signed by VINUTHA B S Location: High Court of Karnataka

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

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. V. ARAVIND

ORAL ORDER

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, by the petitioner– Accused No. 1, seeking grant of bail in Crime No. 119 of 2026, registered on 20.03.2026 by the Vidyaranyapura Police Station, Bengaluru City, for the offences punishable under Sections 109 and 352 read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

¶2The brief facts of the case are that the complainant, Aditya M., had prior enmity with the petitioner and his sister, arising out of certain employment disputes and personal altercations. It is alleged that on 20.03.2026, at about 7:15 p.m., when the complainant had gone near the residence of the petitioner, the petitioner's sister threw chilli powder on the face of the complainant, and the petitioner thereafter assaulted him with a machete. As a consequence, the complainant sustained

injuries on his hand. Based on the said complaint, the aforesaid crime came to be registered by the police.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case and that the complaint has been lodged with an ulterior motive; the petitioner is innocent of the alleged offences. It is further submitted that the petitioner has criminal antecedents, and that there are no eyewitnesses to the alleged incident. It is also submitted that the petitioner is in judicial custody since 31.03.2026.

¶4The learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the co-accused - Accused No.2 has been granted bail by this Court in Criminal Petition No. 6197 of 2026, by order dated

12.05.2026, and therefore prays for grant of bail on the ground of parity.

¶5Per contra, the learned HCGP appearing for the State opposes the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner and submits that the offences alleged are grave in nature. It is further contended that, if the petitioner is enlarged

on bail, there is a likelihood that he may threaten the prosecution witnesses and tamper with the evidence.

¶6Heard the learned counsel for both parties and perused the material placed on record.

¶7The aforesaid crime has been registered against two accused persons. The petitioner herein is Accused No. 1. A perusal of the material on record further indicates that the allegations leveled against the co-accused-Accused no 2, who has already been enlarged on bail, are similar to those made against the present petitioner/Accused No. 1. This Court, in Criminal Petition No. 6197 of 2026, by order dated 12.05.2026, has granted bail to the co-accused, namely Accused No. 2. This Court finds no reason to take a different view in the present case, nor are any distinguishing circumstances brought on record warranting a different consideration for the petitioner.

¶8In light of the above, and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the petitioner/Accused No. 1 is entitled to be enlarged on bail.

¶9Accordingly, the following:

O R D E R

(i) The Criminal Petition is allowed.

(ii) The petitioner/Accused No. 1 is ordered to be enlarged on bail in Crime No.119 of 2026, dated

20.03.2026, registered by the Vidyaranyapura Police Station, Bengaluru City, for the offences punishable under Sections 109 and 352 read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, subject to the following conditions:

(a) The petitioner shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- with two sureties for the likesum to the satisfaction of the jurisdictional Court;

(b) The petitioner shall appear regularly before the trial Court on all dates of hearing unless exempted for valid reasons;

(c) The petitioner shall not directly or indirectly threaten or tamper with the prosecution witnesses;

(d) The petitioner shall not involve himself in any other offences in future.

Sd/- (K. V. ARAVIND) JUDGE

MCR