- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:38842 CRL.P No. 9180 of 2026 CNR: KAHC010431392026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 27TH DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 9180 OF 2026 BETWEEN: SRI M. ANANDA S/O MALLAIAH AGED 44 YEARS OCCU SURVEYOR R/AT HEGGERE VILLAGE TUMKUR TALUK AND DISTRICT - 572 215. …PETITIONER (BY SRI.PRASANNA KUMAR P, ADV.) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA P.S BENGALURU SOUTH DISTRICT REPRESENTED BY ITS SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, M.S. BUILDING DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI Digitally BENGALURU - 560 001. signed by …RESPONDENTNANDINI M S Location: (BY SRI K. PRASANNA SHETTY, ADV.)HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CONNECTION WITH CRIME NO.02/2026 DATED 22.05.2026 REGISTERED BY THE RESPONDENT/KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA PS, BENGALURU SOUTH, WHEREIN THE PETITIONER IS ARRAYED AS ACCUSED NO.1 ALLEGING COMMISSION OF OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 120B, 409, 420, 468 IPC, 1860 AND SECTIONS 13(1)(a) R/W 13(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1988, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE HONBLE II ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, BENGALURU SOUTH, SITTING AT KANAKAPURA. - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:38842 CRL.P No. 9180 of 2026 CNR: KAHC010431392026 THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY ORAL ORDER 1. Accused No.1 in Crime No.2/2026 registered by Lokayuktha Police, Bengaluru South District, for the offences punishable under Section 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amendment 2018) and Sections 420, 468, 409 and 120B of IPC, is before this Court in this petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, seeking anticipatory bail. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the parties. 3. FIR in Crime No.2/2026 was registered against the petitioner and another for the aforesaid offences based on the first information dated 22.05.2026 received from Ramesh, S/o late Varadegouda. Apprehending arrest in the case, petitioner had filed Crl.Misc.No.5099/2026 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court, which was rejected on 19.06.2026. Therefore, he is before this Court. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner is a surveyor, who has conducted the survey of the land in question, which was originally granted in the year 1998-1999. Petitioner has joined service only in the year 2009. The allegation against him is - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:38842 CRL.P No. 9180 of 2026 CNR: KAHC010431392026

that he has not properly conducted survey and has enabled accused No.2 to get his name entered in the revenue records of the land in question. Petitioner has no other criminal antecedents. Further proceedings as against accused No.2 has been stayed by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Crl.P.No.8680/2026. Accordingly, he prays to allow the petition. 5. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondent, who has filed statement of objections opposing the bail petition submits that petitioner has colluded with accused No.2 and deliberately he has not conducted the survey in accordance with law. He submits that investigation of the case is under progress and enquiry notice has not been issued to the petitioner till date. Accordingly, he prays to dismiss the petition. 6. In the first information dated 22.05.2026, it is alleged that property measuring 6 acres in Sy.No.169 of Goduru Village, Maralavadi Hobli, Harohalli Taluk, Bengaluru South District, was granted to one Basavegowda in the year 1998–1999 and said Basavegowda had sold the said property in favour of accused No.2 in the year 2004-2005. Petitioner has allegedly conducted survey of the said property without issuing notice to the concerned persons and without following the rules and thereby has helped accused No.2 - - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:38842 CRL.P No. 9180 of 2026 CNR: KAHC010431392026

Jayaram Hegade for the purpose of entering his name in the revenue records of the land in question. Undisputedly, petitioner was not even in service as on the day the land in question was granted to Basavegowda. The original grantee - Basavegowda, had subsequently sold the property in question to accused No.2 - jayaram Hegade in 2004-2005. Petitioner has joined service only in the year 2009. 7. It is also not in dispute that the Grant Order of the aforesaid land in favour of Basavegowda has not been questioned till date. Only allegation against the petitioner is that he had conducted survey without following the rules prescribed and has thereby helped accused No.2 for the purpose of entering his name in the revenue records of the land in question. Proceedings as against accused No.2 has been stayed in the present case by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Crl.P.No.8680/2026 vide order dated 06.07.2026. Petitioner, who is a government servant has no other criminal antecedents. He has undertaken to co-operate with the police for the purpose of investigation. Considering the aforesaid aspects of the matter, I am of the opinion that his prayer for grant of anticipatory bail needs to be answered affirmatively, subject to appropriate conditions. Accordingly, the following order:- - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:38842 CRL.P No. 9180 of 2026 CNR: KAHC010431392026

8. The 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.2/2026 registered by Lokayuktha Police, Bengaluru South District, for the offences punishable under Section 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amendment 2018) and Sections 420, 468, 409 and 120B of IPC, subject to the following conditions: 1. The 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. 2. Petitioner shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons. 3. Petitioner shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses and he shall co-operate with the police for investigation and appear before them whenever called upon. - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:38842 CRL.P No. 9180 of 2026 CNR: KAHC010431392026 4. The petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE DN List No.: 1 Sl No.: 107

- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:38842 CRL.P No. 9180 of 2026 CNR: KAHC010431392026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 27TH DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 9180 OF 2026 BETWEEN: SRI M. ANANDA S/O MALLAIAH AGED 44 YEARS OCCU SURVEYOR R/AT HEGGERE VILLAGE TUMKUR TALUK AND DISTRICT - 572 215. …PETITIONER (BY SRI.PRASANNA KUMAR P, ADV.) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA P.S BENGALURU SOUTH DISTRICT REPRESENTED BY ITS SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, M.S. BUILDING DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI Digitally BENGALURU - 560 001. signed by …RESPONDENTNANDINI M S Location: (BY SRI K. PRASANNA SHETTY, ADV.)HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN CONNECTION WITH CRIME NO.02/2026 DATED 22.05.2026 REGISTERED BY THE RESPONDENT/KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA PS, BENGALURU SOUTH, WHEREIN THE PETITIONER IS ARRAYED AS ACCUSED NO.1 ALLEGING COMMISSION OF OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 120B, 409, 420, 468 IPC, 1860 AND SECTIONS 13(1)(a) R/W 13(2) OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1988, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE HONBLE II ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, BENGALURU SOUTH, SITTING AT KANAKAPURA. - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:38842 CRL.P No. 9180 of 2026 CNR: KAHC010431392026 THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY ORAL ORDER 1. Accused No.1 in Crime No.2/2026 registered by Lokayuktha Police, Bengaluru South District, for the offences punishable under Section 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amendment 2018) and Sections 420, 468, 409 and 120B of IPC, is before this Court in this petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, seeking anticipatory bail. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the parties. 3. FIR in Crime No.2/2026 was registered against the petitioner and another for the aforesaid offences based on the first information dated 22.05.2026 received from Ramesh, S/o late Varadegouda. Apprehending arrest in the case, petitioner had filed Crl.Misc.No.5099/2026 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court, which was rejected on 19.06.2026. Therefore, he is before this Court. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner is a surveyor, who has conducted the survey of the land in question, which was originally granted in the year 1998-1999. Petitioner has joined service only in the year 2009. The allegation against him is - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:38842 CRL.P No. 9180 of 2026 CNR: KAHC010431392026

that he has not properly conducted survey and has enabled accused No.2 to get his name entered in the revenue records of the land in question. Petitioner has no other criminal antecedents. Further proceedings as against accused No.2 has been stayed by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Crl.P.No.8680/2026. Accordingly, he prays to allow the petition. 5. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondent, who has filed statement of objections opposing the bail petition submits that petitioner has colluded with accused No.2 and deliberately he has not conducted the survey in accordance with law. He submits that investigation of the case is under progress and enquiry notice has not been issued to the petitioner till date. Accordingly, he prays to dismiss the petition. 6. In the first information dated 22.05.2026, it is alleged that property measuring 6 acres in Sy.No.169 of Goduru Village, Maralavadi Hobli, Harohalli Taluk, Bengaluru South District, was granted to one Basavegowda in the year 1998–1999 and said Basavegowda had sold the said property in favour of accused No.2 in the year 2004-2005. Petitioner has allegedly conducted survey of the said property without issuing notice to the concerned persons and without following the rules and thereby has helped accused No.2 - - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:38842 CRL.P No. 9180 of 2026 CNR: KAHC010431392026

Jayaram Hegade for the purpose of entering his name in the revenue records of the land in question. Undisputedly, petitioner was not even in service as on the day the land in question was granted to Basavegowda. The original grantee - Basavegowda, had subsequently sold the property in question to accused No.2 - jayaram Hegade in 2004-2005. Petitioner has joined service only in the year 2009. 7. It is also not in dispute that the Grant Order of the aforesaid land in favour of Basavegowda has not been questioned till date. Only allegation against the petitioner is that he had conducted survey without following the rules prescribed and has thereby helped accused No.2 for the purpose of entering his name in the revenue records of the land in question. Proceedings as against accused No.2 has been stayed in the present case by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Crl.P.No.8680/2026 vide order dated 06.07.2026. Petitioner, who is a government servant has no other criminal antecedents. He has undertaken to co-operate with the police for the purpose of investigation. Considering the aforesaid aspects of the matter, I am of the opinion that his prayer for grant of anticipatory bail needs to be answered affirmatively, subject to appropriate conditions. Accordingly, the following order:- - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:38842 CRL.P No. 9180 of 2026 CNR: KAHC010431392026

8. The 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.2/2026 registered by Lokayuktha Police, Bengaluru South District, for the offences punishable under Section 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amendment 2018) and Sections 420, 468, 409 and 120B of IPC, subject to the following conditions: 1. The 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. 2. Petitioner shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons. 3. Petitioner shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses and he shall co-operate with the police for investigation and appear before them whenever called upon. - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:38842 CRL.P No. 9180 of 2026 CNR: KAHC010431392026 4. The petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE DN List No.: 1 Sl No.: 107