MOHAMMED ALI Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner-accused No.2 is before this Court seeking grant of anticipatory bail in Crime No.0183/2022 of Turuvanur Police Station, Chitradurga on the file of learned III Additional Civil Judge & JMFC Court, Chitradurga, registered for the offences punishable under Ss. 406, 409 and 420 of Indian Penal Code (for short 'IPC'), on the basis of the first information lodged by the informant- Hanumanthappa.H.

(2.) Heard Sri. Kethan Kumar, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri. K.Rahul Rai, learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent-State. Perused the materials on record.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is arrayed as accused No.2. He is innocent and law-abiding citizen. He has not committed any offence as alleged. He has been falsely implicated in the matter without any basis. There is reasonable apprehension of he being arrested. Hence, he is before this Court. It is alleged that the petitioner being the PDO of Belagatta Grama Panchayath along with accused No.1, who is President of said Panchayath, have misappropriated the amount to an extent of Rs.85,62,968.00 for 14th and 15th financial project year. Common allegations are made against both the accused that they have committed misappropriation in the disbursement of money to the contractors and service agencies and also to the contractual laborers without there being proper records. Accused No.1 is granted anticipatory bail by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court. Hence, petitioner is also entitled for the benefit of parity with accused No.1. The petitioner is not required for custodial interrogation. He is the permanent resident of the address mentioned in the cause-title to the petition and is ready and willing to abide by any of the conditions that would be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays to allow the petition in the interest of justice.