PULIYANDA .P. BOPANNA Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioners have been arraigned as accused Nos.1 to 7 in Crime No. 72/12 of Gonikoppa Police Station registered for the offences punishable under Sections 143, 144, 147, 148, 307 341 and 427 of IPC on the basis of the oral complaint of one P.J.George son of Late Jecob said to have been recorded in the evening of 7.10.2012 in respect of an incident of assault on him that occurred at about 4.45 pm on the same day while he was proceeding in his car in front of house of one Sannuvanda Shankar in Palibetta. Apprehending their arrest in connection with the said case, these petitioners have presented this petition under Section 438 Cr.P.C seeking relief of anticipatory bail.

(2.) THE petition is opposed by the respondent - State.

(3.) ACCORDING to the case of the prosecution, the complainant P.J.George is an eye-witness to an incident said to have occurred about 3 months prior to 7.10.2012 in which first petitioner and his associates had committed the acts of assault etc. on one Kaveri, Vice President of Zilla Panchayath and that in order to avoid this complainant from giving evidence in that case, these petitioners way laid the complainant at about 4.45 p.m. on 7.10.2012 while he was proceeding in his car and assaulted by weapons like sword, club etc., causing him severe injuries and he was also threatened with injuries to life if he gives evidence in the case.