Men Allegedly Taken From Shivamogga Court And Assaulted; Karnataka HC Bails Two Accused, Citing Simple Injuries And Delayed FIR

The petitioners, arrayed as accused Nos. 7 and 13, sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in a case arising from Crime No. 84/2025.

The prosecution alleged that on 22 September 2025 the accused confronted two victims, forcibly took them to another location, assaulted and threatened them, and demanded ₹50,000.

The victims sustained simple injuries; the FIR was lodged on 24 September 2025.

After investigation, a charge sheet was filed against 15 persons for offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act, 2000 (KCOCA).

The petitioners’ bail application had been rejected by the Special Court.

The High Court noted that other similarly placed accused had been granted bail.

The petitions were considered under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which empowers the High Court to grant bail.

The alleged offences were under Sections 118(1), 189(2), 191(2), 191(3), 115(2), 140(2), 351(2), 352, 61(2), 308(3) and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(4) and 3(3) of KCOCA.

The order cites no precedent and does not set out a separate statutory test for bail under KCOCA; it assesses the circumstances of the case and makes release subject to conditions.

The Court considered the allegations alongside the fact that the victims had suffered only simple injuries, the FIR was lodged nearly two days after the incident, and the investigation had concluded with the filing of the charge sheet.

Although the State pointed to the petitioners’ criminal antecedents and the invocation of KCOCA, the Court also noted that other accused facing similar allegations and having criminal antecedents had been granted bail.

In view of these circumstances, it found that the petitioners’ request warranted a favourable response, subject to appropriate safeguards.

Conditions included execution of a personal bond of ₹1,00,000 each with two sureties for the like sum, regular attendance at trial, non-interference with witnesses, refraining from similar offences, remaining within the trial court’s jurisdiction without permission, and reporting to the Jayanagar Police Station on the first Sunday of each month for one year after release.