Mr Nagendra Babu vs State Of Karnataka

Accused No.10 in crime No.152 of 2026 registered by R.T. Nagar Police Station, Bengaluru City for the offences punishable under Section 118(1), 103, 238 read with Sections 3(5), 3(6), 3(7) of BNS, 2023 and Section 36 of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, is before this Court in this petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 seeking regular bail.

Heard the learned counsel for the parties.

FIR in Crime No.152 of 2026 was registered by R.T. Nagar Police Station, Bengaluru City for the aforesaid offences against Akash and others, based on the first information dated 03.05.2026, received from Mahadeva, who is the brother of deceased Puttaswamy. In the said case, the petitioner was arrested on 07.05.2026 and remanded to judicial custody. His bail application filed before the jurisdictional Sessions Court in Crl.Misc.No.4603 of 2026 was rejected on 06.06.2026. Therefore, he is before this Court.

First informant is the brother of deceased Puttaswamy. In the first information, it is stated that on 03.05.2026 at about 05.00 p.m., Puttaswamy, who was working in the hotel of the first informant, had gone out and at about 05.45 p.m., the first informant received information that some boys had assaulted his brother Puttaswamy near a wine store. Immediately thereafter, the first informant went to the said wine store known as Vijaya Wine store and on enquiry he learnt that about 6 to 7 boys were consuming alcohol and quarreling with each other. Puttaswamy allegedly had intervened in the said quarrel and therefore, accused Nos.1 to 3 named in the FIR had assaulted him with their hands and subsequently, accused No.1 assaulted Puttaswamy with a beer bottle on his leg and as a result, Puttaswamy suffered grievous injuries. Though, injured Puttaswamy was shifted to hospital, he had died in the hospital at about 06.45 p.m. It is under these circumstances, FIR was registered against accused Nos.1 to 3 and others. Accused Nos.4 to 9 named in the FIR are the owners and employees of the said wine store. Accused Nos.4 to 9 have been granted bail in the present case. Petitioner's name is not found in the FIR.

Undisputedly, he has no other criminal antecedents. Even as per the averments found in the first information, it was only accused No.1, who had assaulted Puttaswamy with a beer bottle and the other accused only had assaulted Puttaswamy with their hands and legs. Investigation of the case is now completed.

Under the circumstances, I am of the opinion petitioner's prayer for grant of regular bail needs to be answered affirmatively, subject to appropriate conditions. Accordingly, the following:

The Criminal Petition is allowed. The petitioner is directed to be enlarged on bail in crime No.152 of 2026 registered by R.T. Nagar Police Station, Bengaluru City for the offences punishable under Section 118(1), 103, 238 read with Sections 3(5), 3(6), 3(7) of BNS, 2023 and Section 36 of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, subject to the following conditions: