ERAMALLAPPA Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Since all these petitions are in respect of same crime and since common questions of law and facts are involved in all these petitions, they have been taken together to dispose of them by this common order.

(2.) All these petitions are filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C. by the respective petitioners seeking their release on bail of the alleged offences punishable under Sections 418, 420, 381, 201 read with Section 120B of IPC and Sections 23 and 115 of the Karnataka Education Act, 1883, and Section 3 of the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act, 2000, registered in respondent Police Station Crime No.37/2016.

(3.) Brief facts of the prosecution case are that the Joint Director (Examinations), Pre-University Board, Bengaluru, lodged the complaint dated 21.03.2016 against unknown persons alleging that II PUC Annual Exams for the academic year 2015-16 were scheduled to be held from 11.03.2016 to 28.03.2016. On 21.03.2016, examination was conducted for Chemistry (New Syllabus) subject. It is further alleged that on 21.03.2016, it came to the knowledge that a facsimile question paper of II PUC Chemistry (New Syllabus) subject was leaked out prior to the commencement of the examination i.e., at about 7.29 a.m. Later when the leaked out facsimile question paper was compared with the question paper given for the examination of Chemistry Subject on 21.03.2016, it corroborated. Complainant requested the respondent-Malleshwaram Police to investigate the matter. On 30.03.2016 the said case was transferred from respondent Police to CID, Bengaluru, and during investigation the CID Police found that leaked question paper was circulated through WhatsApp of mobile phones and traced the cellular mobile numbers from which the leaked question paper was circulated. Then, the CID Police enquired accused Nos.1 to 3 and subsequently accused Nos.1 to 3 were arrested and their statements were recorded on 04.04.2016. Based on the voluntary statements of accused Nos.1 to 3, it was found by the CID Police that few others are also involved in circulating the leaked question paper for financial gain from beneficiaries. Based on the voluntary statement of accused Nos.5 and 8, it was found that the petitioners in the above petitions were also involved in circulation of the leaked question paper for money. The further allegations that accused had sold the leaked question paper and had collected the money. On 11.04.2016 the CID Police requested the jurisdictional Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Bengaluru, for inserting Sections 120B and 201 of IPC in the said crime i.e., Crime No.37/2016, which was permitted by the said Court. On 18.04.2016 the above petitioners were produced before the Court and they were remanded to judicial custody and even till today they are in judicial custody.