- 1 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 29TH DAY OF MAY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 1921 OF 2026 (439(Cr.PC)/483(BNSS)) BETWEEN: SRI. CHANDRASHEKAR B S/O SHARABHAYYA, AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS, R/AT NO.442/2, 1ST MAIN, 17TH CROSS, KTJ NAGAR, BASAVANAHALU, Digitally signed by DAVANGERE – 577 002. SUSHMA LAKSHMI B S Location: …PETITIONERHigh Court of Karnataka (BY SRI. MANOJ S N., ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY CYBER CRIME POLICE STATION, BENGALURU CITY, - 2 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR REPRESENTED BY THE SPP, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU – 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SMT. PUSHPALATHA B., ADDL. SPP) ---- THIS CRL.P FILED U/S 439 CR.PC (FILED U/S 483 BNNS) BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER/ACCUSED NO.1 ON BAIL IN CRIME NO.69/2025 OF CYBER CRIME POLICE STATION FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 67 AND 66(C) OF THE IT ACT, 2000 AND U/S 351(3), 352, 75(3), 79 R/W SECTION 3(5) OF THE BNS 2023, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE 45TH ADDL. JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE IN CRIME NO.69/2025. THIS CRIMINAL PETITION HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED ON 08.04.2026, COMING ON FOR PRONOUNCEMENT OF JUDGMENT, THIS DAY, THE COURT MADE THE FOLLOWING:- CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH - 3 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR CAV JUDGMENT

1. This criminal petition is filed by the petitioner who is arrayed as accused No.1 in Crime No.69/2025 filed by the respondent – Police for the offences punishable under Section 67, 66(C) of Information Technology Act, 2000 (for short IT Act) and under Section 351(3), 352, 75(3), 351(2) and 79 read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short BNS). Factual matrix of the case: 2. The case of the prosecution is that the complainant is the wife of eminent film actor. The film in which her husband played a lead role was released on 11.12.2025. The complainant had participated in the programme held at Davangere on 21.12.2025 and made certain statements in the said event. However, her statement has been misinterpreted and it is alleged that derogatory comments were allegedly posted on social media platforms by some unknown persons. On going through the said comments, the complainant had lodged a complaint before the respondent – Police. The - 4 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR respondent - Police registered a case and conducted investigation. The investigation is under progress. 3. Heard Sri. Manoj S.N. learned counsel for the petitioner and Smt. Pushpalatha B., learned Additional Special Public Prosecutor for respondent – State of Karnataka.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the allegations made against the petitioner is that he has posted a comment on an existing social media post. It is not the case of the prosecution that the petitioner has uploaded any post, created any content or disseminated any material. It is further submitted that to attract the ingredients of Section 67 of the IT Act, 2000, it requires a publication or a transmission of obscene material by the accused person. The act of posting a comment on the existing post without uploading or disseminating any obscene material does not satisfy the essential ingredients of the said provision. The petitioner is a reputed person and he has deep roots in the society. He is aged about 46 years and he is a resident of Basavanahalu, Davanagere. He will abide by the conditions imposed by this Court in the event of his release on - 5 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR bail. Making such submission learned counsel for the petitioner prays to allow the petition.

5. Learned Additional Special Public Prosecutor for respondent – State vehemently submitted that the petitioner has committed a heinous offence. He has made certain derogatory comments against the victim. The investigation is under progress. The cyber crime has become a menace to the society. A person sitting in a different place with a device in their hands feels entitled to do anything and everything according to their means and chances by troubling innocent persons/innocent citizens. In order to regulate such menace to the society, it is necessary to reject the bail petition. Making such submission learned Additional Special Public Prosecutor for respondent – State of Karnataka prays to reject the petition. 6. Having heard learned counsel for the respective parties and on perusal of the averments of the complaint, it appears that as per the averments of the remand application, the petitioner herein is arrayed as accused No.1. He is having a instagram account in the name of “Chandra Shekhar”. It is alleged that his comments in the social media turned into an - 6 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR intimidation and also harassment. The vulgar language used against the complainant relating to sexual assault. The manner in which, the petitioner utilized the public platform to make derogatory comments would show his mentality towards the community of the women at large.

7. No doubt, freedom of speech of expressions are guaranteed to its citizens under the constitution of India. However, every such right has its reasonable restrictions. Exceeding such restrictions or invading the personal liberty of another person, certainly would be an offence and it would be dealt with in accordance with law. 8. It is needless to state that the Social Media as its responsibility to maintain decorum and also to instill the confidence in the mind of the citizens of this Country. The persons who are making comments on any issues have to maintain public peace and order. Making a baseless, false, frivolous and intimidating messages are required to be regulated by the Company itself, if not, Courts are required to secure the confidence of the citizens of this Country by way of - 7 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR the social media which violates the fundamental rights of any citizens of this Country. 9. It is significant to state that Courts are not mute spectators. Whenever interference is required, the Courts without hesitation, will step into safeguarding the rights and interests of individuals or the public, guaranteed under the Constitution of India. 10. In the light of the observations made above, I hold that the petition deserves to be rejected. 11. Ordered, accordingly. Sd/- (S RACHAIAH) JUDGE NM/- List No.: 1 Sl No.: 4

- 1 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 29TH DAY OF MAY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 1921 OF 2026 (439(Cr.PC)/483(BNSS)) BETWEEN: SRI. CHANDRASHEKAR B S/O SHARABHAYYA, AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS, R/AT NO.442/2, 1ST MAIN, 17TH CROSS, KTJ NAGAR, BASAVANAHALU, Digitally signed by DAVANGERE – 577 002. SUSHMA LAKSHMI B S Location: …PETITIONERHigh Court of Karnataka (BY SRI. MANOJ S N., ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY CYBER CRIME POLICE STATION, BENGALURU CITY, - 2 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR REPRESENTED BY THE SPP, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU – 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SMT. PUSHPALATHA B., ADDL. SPP) ---- THIS CRL.P FILED U/S 439 CR.PC (FILED U/S 483 BNNS) BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER/ACCUSED NO.1 ON BAIL IN CRIME NO.69/2025 OF CYBER CRIME POLICE STATION FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 67 AND 66(C) OF THE IT ACT, 2000 AND U/S 351(3), 352, 75(3), 79 R/W SECTION 3(5) OF THE BNS 2023, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE 45TH ADDL. JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE IN CRIME NO.69/2025. THIS CRIMINAL PETITION HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED ON 08.04.2026, COMING ON FOR PRONOUNCEMENT OF JUDGMENT, THIS DAY, THE COURT MADE THE FOLLOWING:- CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH - 3 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR CAV JUDGMENT

1. This criminal petition is filed by the petitioner who is arrayed as accused No.1 in Crime No.69/2025 filed by the respondent – Police for the offences punishable under Section 67, 66(C) of Information Technology Act, 2000 (for short IT Act) and under Section 351(3), 352, 75(3), 351(2) and 79 read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short BNS). Factual matrix of the case: 2. The case of the prosecution is that the complainant is the wife of eminent film actor. The film in which her husband played a lead role was released on 11.12.2025. The complainant had participated in the programme held at Davangere on 21.12.2025 and made certain statements in the said event. However, her statement has been misinterpreted and it is alleged that derogatory comments were allegedly posted on social media platforms by some unknown persons. On going through the said comments, the complainant had lodged a complaint before the respondent – Police. The - 4 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR respondent - Police registered a case and conducted investigation. The investigation is under progress. 3. Heard Sri. Manoj S.N. learned counsel for the petitioner and Smt. Pushpalatha B., learned Additional Special Public Prosecutor for respondent – State of Karnataka.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the allegations made against the petitioner is that he has posted a comment on an existing social media post. It is not the case of the prosecution that the petitioner has uploaded any post, created any content or disseminated any material. It is further submitted that to attract the ingredients of Section 67 of the IT Act, 2000, it requires a publication or a transmission of obscene material by the accused person. The act of posting a comment on the existing post without uploading or disseminating any obscene material does not satisfy the essential ingredients of the said provision. The petitioner is a reputed person and he has deep roots in the society. He is aged about 46 years and he is a resident of Basavanahalu, Davanagere. He will abide by the conditions imposed by this Court in the event of his release on - 5 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR bail. Making such submission learned counsel for the petitioner prays to allow the petition.

5. Learned Additional Special Public Prosecutor for respondent – State vehemently submitted that the petitioner has committed a heinous offence. He has made certain derogatory comments against the victim. The investigation is under progress. The cyber crime has become a menace to the society. A person sitting in a different place with a device in their hands feels entitled to do anything and everything according to their means and chances by troubling innocent persons/innocent citizens. In order to regulate such menace to the society, it is necessary to reject the bail petition. Making such submission learned Additional Special Public Prosecutor for respondent – State of Karnataka prays to reject the petition. 6. Having heard learned counsel for the respective parties and on perusal of the averments of the complaint, it appears that as per the averments of the remand application, the petitioner herein is arrayed as accused No.1. He is having a instagram account in the name of “Chandra Shekhar”. It is alleged that his comments in the social media turned into an - 6 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR intimidation and also harassment. The vulgar language used against the complainant relating to sexual assault. The manner in which, the petitioner utilized the public platform to make derogatory comments would show his mentality towards the community of the women at large.

7. No doubt, freedom of speech of expressions are guaranteed to its citizens under the constitution of India. However, every such right has its reasonable restrictions. Exceeding such restrictions or invading the personal liberty of another person, certainly would be an offence and it would be dealt with in accordance with law. 8. It is needless to state that the Social Media as its responsibility to maintain decorum and also to instill the confidence in the mind of the citizens of this Country. The persons who are making comments on any issues have to maintain public peace and order. Making a baseless, false, frivolous and intimidating messages are required to be regulated by the Company itself, if not, Courts are required to secure the confidence of the citizens of this Country by way of - 7 - NC: 2026:KHC:26045 CRL.P No. 1921 of 2026 HC-KAR the social media which violates the fundamental rights of any citizens of this Country. 9. It is significant to state that Courts are not mute spectators. Whenever interference is required, the Courts without hesitation, will step into safeguarding the rights and interests of individuals or the public, guaranteed under the Constitution of India. 10. In the light of the observations made above, I hold that the petition deserves to be rejected. 11. Ordered, accordingly. Sd/- (S RACHAIAH) JUDGE NM/- List No.: 1 Sl No.: 4