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CDJ 2026 Kar HC 188 print Preview print Next print
Court : High Court of Karnataka (Circuit Bench At Dharwad)
Case No : Criminal Appeal No. 100005 Of 2026 (U/S 14 A(2) OF SC AND ST ACT)
Judges: THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V. SRISHANANDA
Parties : Shankar Versus The State Of Karnataka, Through S.P.P. & Others
Appearing Advocates : For the Appellant: Malakappa N. Warad, Advocate. For the Respondents: R1, Jairam Siddi, HCGP.
Date of Judgment : 18-02-2026
Head Note :-
Criminal Procedure Code - Section 173A -
Summary :-
1. Statutes / Acts / Rules / Orders / Regulations, and Sections Mentioned:
- Section 14(A)(2) of SC/ST (POA) Act, 1989
- Sec 189(2) of BNS-2023
- Sec 191(2) of BNS-2023
- Sec 191(3) of BNS-2023
- Sec 61(2) of BNS-2023
- Sec 109 of BNS-2023
- Sec 115(2) of BNS-2023
- Sec 118(1) of BNS-2023
- Sec 126(2) of BNS-2023
- Sec 352 of BNS-2023
- Sec 351(3) of BNS-2023
- Sec 324 r/w 190 of BNS-2023
- U/Sec 3(1)(R) of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (POA) Act
- U/Sec 3(1)(S) of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (POA) Act
- U/Sec 3(2)(VA) of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (POA) Act
- U/Sec 3(2)(V) of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (POA) Act
- Section 173A of Cr.P.C.

2. Catch Words:
- Bail
- Criminal appeal
- Supplementary charge sheet
- Section 173A
- SC/ST (POA) Act
- Judicial custody
- Remand application

3. Summary:
The appellant, arrested as accused No. 7 after the charge sheet against accused No. 1‑6 was filed, sought bail under Section 14(A)(2) of the SC/ST (POA) Act, 1989. No supplementary charge sheet was filed, and the investigating officer did not invoke Section 173A of the Cr.P.C. to seek further investigation. The court found no material linking the appellant to the incident beyond his presence, rendering his continued judicial custody unwarranted. The High Court Government Pleader’s objection did not establish sufficient grounds to deny bail. Consequently, the appellate court allowed the appeal and ordered the appellant’s release on bail with standard conditions.

4. Conclusion:
Appeal Allowed
Judgment :-

(Prayer: This Criminal Appeal is filed under Section 14(A)(2) of SC/ST (POA) Act, 1989 praying to allow the present bail appeal and be please to set aside the order dated 24.12.2025 passed by the III Addl Sessions Judge, Exclusive Special Court, Belagavi,Whereby the Bail Application was rejected. pleased to enlarge the appellant on regular bail in connection with Spl Case No. 630/2025 arising out of Crime No: 106/2025 Aigali P.S. registered by the first respondent police for the offence punishable u/Sec 189(2), 191(2), 191(3), 61(2), 109, 115(2), 118(1), 126(2), 352, 351(3), 324 r/w 190 of BNS-2023 and U/Sec 3(1)(R), 3(1)(S), 3(2)(VA), and 3(2)(V) of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe(POA) Act, pending before the III Addl. Sessions Court, Exclusive Special Court Belagavi and etc.)

Oral Judgment

V. Srishananda, J.

1. Heard Sri Malakappa N.Warad, learned counsel for appellant and Sri Jairam Siddi, learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent No.1.

2. Appellant has been arrested and arraigned as accused No.7. After 40 days of filing the charge sheet in respect of the Crime No.106/2025 of Aigali Police Station, Belagavi.

3. Material on record would reveal that a complaint came to be lodged by the second respondent against the accused No.1 to 6 and it was thoroughly investigated and charge sheet came to be filed against the accused No. 1 to 6. However after filing the charge sheet after lapse of 40 days, present appellant has been arraigned as accused No.7 and he was arrested and sent to judicial custody.

4. There is no additional charge sheet or supplementary charge sheet filed in the case. On close reading of the charge sheet, the Investigation Officer also did not seek liberty to investigate the matter further and file supplementary charge sheet by conducting the further investigation as is contemplated under Section 173A of Cr.P.C.

5. Only on the basis of the fact that accused was also present at the time of incident without there being any supporting material, accused No.7 has been made as an additional accused. Particulars found in the remand application is not sufficient to arraign him as an accused no.7.

6. Be what it may, it is for the concerned Court to take appropriate action in that regard.

7. Fact remains that in the absence of any connecting material which would establish the nexus between the present appellant and the main incident only on the basis of the facts mentioned in the remand application, continuation of the accused in judicial custody is no longer warranted.

8. Objection statement filed by the learned High Court Government Pleader also does not make out any good ground to deny the bail to the appellant.

9. Accordingly, without expressing any further opinion on merits of the matter, following:

ORDER

          i. Appeal is allowed.

          ii. Appellant is directed to be enlarged on bail on executing a bond in a sum of ₹50,000/- with one surety for the likesum to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge.

          iii. Appellant shall attend the Court regularly.

          iv. Appellant shall not tamper the prosecution witnesses in any manner.

          v. Appellant shall not leave the jurisdiction of the Belagavi District without their permission.

          Violation of any one of the conditions would entitle the prosecution to seek for cancellation of bail.

 
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