Karnataka High Court grants anticipatory bail to officials in case alleging 414 fraudulent land grants to ineligible persons

The petitions arose from Crime No. 157/2019, registered by Hassan City Police on the basis of information dated 24 October 2019 from the Special Land Acquisition Officer, Hemavathi River Project.

The complaint alleged that, between 1 January 2015 and 30 November 2018, revenue officials, in collusion with other persons, fraudulently granted land reserved for project-affected land losers to ineligible persons; 414 cases were reportedly identified.

On 16 March 2026, the Deputy Commissioner directed an enquiry concerning 141 persons who had worked in the Revenue Department during the relevant period.

After the Sessions Court dismissed their anticipatory-bail applications, the petitioners—who apprehended arrest in the case—sought anticipatory bail from the High Court.

The investigation had been transferred to the CID.

1. Whether the petitioners, accused in Crime No. 157/2019, were entitled to anticipatory bail under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in view of the allegations and circumstances of the case.

2. Whether anticipatory bail should be granted subject to conditions requiring the petitioners to cooperate with the investigation and attend court proceedings.

The Court considered Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which empowers the High Court or Court of Session to direct that a person apprehending arrest be released on bail.

The alleged offences were under Sections 465, 468 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Section 192(a)(1)(2)(3) of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1963, and Sections 4(1)(2)(3) and (5) of the Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Act, 2007.

The Court assessed the nature of the allegations, the maximum punishment stated to be seven years, the grant of anticipatory bail to similarly placed accused, and the petitioners’ undertaking to cooperate with the investigation.

No precedent was cited.

The Court noted that the complaint concerned alleged fraudulent land grants made over a period of years and that the petitioners apprehended arrest following an enquiry directed into the conduct of persons who had served in the Revenue Department.

It took account of anticipatory bail already granted to similarly placed accused, the petitioners’ undertaking to cooperate, the nature of the allegations, and the maximum punishment of seven years.

On those considerations, it found anticipatory bail appropriate, subject to conditions securing the petitioners’ availability and cooperation.

Each petitioner was required to appear before the Investigating Officer within 15 days of receiving the order and execute a personal bond of ₹1,00,000 with two sureties for the like sum; regularly attend the Trial Court unless exempted for valid reasons; refrain from tampering with prosecution witnesses; cooperate with the investigation and attend when called; and not involve themselves in similar offences in future.