SHRIDHAR K PUJAR Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner-accused is before this Court seeking grant of anticipatory bail in Crime No.19 of 2024 of Vidhana Soudha Police Station, registered for the offences punishable under Ss. 506, 504, 307, 332 and 353 of Indian Penal Code (for short 'IPC'), on the basis of the first information lodged by the informant Bhaskar.

(2.) Heard Sri M Aruna Shyam, learned senior advocate for Sri E Suyog Herele, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri B N Jagadeesha, learned Additional State Public Prosecutor along with Smt Waheedha, learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent-State. Perused the materials on record.

(3.) Learned Senior Advocate for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is the sole accused. He is the Dy.SP rank police officer still serving in Davanagere seeking grant of anticipatory bail. In the meantime, he has filed Criminal Petition Nos.2380, 2916 and 2925 of 2024 under Sec. 482 of Cr.P.C. seeking to quash the complaint in Crime No.19 of 2024 i.e., the present complaint, crime No.1 of 2024 and also to set aside the order dtd. 15/3/2024 passed by the learned I Additional CMM, Bengaluru issuing proclamation for appearance of the petitioner. All those three petitions were taken up for hearing by co-ordinate Bench of this Court and disposed off the petitions vide common order dtd. 2/5/2024, wherein Criminal Petition No.2925 of 2024 was allowed and the other two criminal petitions were disposed off with a direction to the petitioner to join the investigation on 8/5/2024 by appearing before the Investigating Officer at 9.00 a.m. It was held that the Investigating Officer is at liberty to take the petitioner to judicial custody and conclude the custodial interrogation on the very same day before 6.00 p.m. The petitioner was directed to co-operate with the Investigating agency and not to indulge in extra judicial methods while investigating the matter. The petitioner was also directed to furnish the bond for a sum of Rs.2,00,000.00 with two sureties. In view of the fact that the petitioner has agreed to join the investigation, it was ordered that the bail application if any to be filed by the petitioner shall not be opposed by the prosecution.