Mano P @ Mano Prasanna Vs State of Karnataka — Cheating and Forgery | Karnataka HC (2025)

Mano P @ Mano Prasanna Vs State of Karnataka — Cheating and Forgery | Karnataka HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Anticipatory bail granted: petitioner/accused in Crime No.64/2025 ordered to be released in the event of his arrest, subject to conditions including appearance before the Investigating Officer within one week, execution of a personal bond of Rs.1,00,000/- with a surety for the likesum, furnishing residential address/contact number, co-operating with investigation, not tampering with prosecution evidence/witnesses, and regular attendance at court proceedings.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, arrayed as sole accused in Crime No.64/2025 of Robertsonpet Police Station for alleged offences punishable under Sections 376(2)(n) and 420 IPC, is entitled to be enlarged on anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest.

Court's answer

Perusal of the complaint averments shows the victim has not alleged that the petitioner subjected her to sexual intercourse on the false pretext of marriage; she stated both were in love and continued their relationship despite family advice.

Ratio / Principle

The allegations of sexual intercourse against the victim's will and cheating by non-marriage are matters to be established at trial; in the facts and circumstances, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not necessary and the prosecution's apprehension can be taken care of by imposing suitable conditions.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Anticipatory Bail — S.438 Cr.P.C. — Sole accused in Crime No.64/2025 of Robertsonpet Police Station, K.G.F., for alleged offences u/s 376(2)(n) and 420 IPC (intercourse against will and cheating by refusal to marry) — Sessions Court having rejected his earlier anticipatory bail petition on 14.07.2025 — Held: complainant/victim, an adult aged 27 years, never alleged that sexual intercourse occurred on the false pretext of marriage; the parties were in a relationship since 2018 and the allegations are matters to be established at trial — Custodial interrogation not necessary; prosecution's apprehension can be met by suitable conditions — Petition allowed; release on arrest ordered on a personal bond of Rs.1,00,000/- with like surety and conditions including appearance before the I.O. within one week, co-operation with investigation, non-tampering with evidence/witnesses and regular court attendance.

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NC: 2025:KHC:34306 CRL.P No. 10642 of 2025

HC-KAR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 2^ND DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2025

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 10642 OF 2025

BETWEEN:

MANO P @ MANO PRASANNA S/O SRI R PUSHPARAJ, AGED ABOUT 25 YEARS, R/AT NO. 15, S.T. BLOCK, OORGAUM POST, KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - 563 120

…PETITIONER

(BY SRI. M.SHARASS CHANDRA., ADVOCATE)

AND:

Digitally signed by LAKSHMI T Location: High Court of Karnataka

STATE OF KARNATAKA REP BY SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, ROBERTSONPET POLICE STATION KOLAR GOLD FIELDS-563113 REP.BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BANGALORE-560 001.

…RESPONDENT

(BY SRI. RANGASWAMY.R, HCGP)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 438 CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNNS) PRAYING TO PASS ORDERS ENLARGING THE PETITIONER ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST BY THE RESPONDENT ROBERTSONPET POLICE IN CR NO.64/2025 FOR ALLEGED OFFENCES P/U/S 376(2)(n), 420 OF IPC PENDING ON THE FILE OF HONBLE SR.CIVIL JUDGE AND PRL.JMFC AT KOLAR GOLD FIELDS ACCEPTING THE SURETIES OFFERED.

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NC: 2025:KHC:34306 CRL.P No. 10642 of 2025

HC-KAR

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ

ORAL ORDER

FIR in Crime No.64/2025 of Robertsonpet Police Station, K.G.F., is registered against the petitioner/sole accused, on a complaint lodged by the victim, for the offence punishable under Section 376(2)(n) and 420 of IPC.

Apprehending arrest, petitioner approached the

Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail. The said petition was rejected by the learned Sessions Judge vide order dated 14.07.2025, hence, this petition.

Perusal of complaint averments, goes to show

that the complainant/victim, aged about 27 years, is working as a teacher in a private school in Bengaluru. She met the petitioner in the month of September-2018 and they fell in love with each other. Further, they were talking over phone and making video calls and sending messages

3 - NC: 2025:KHC:34306 CRL.P No. 10642 of 2025

HC-KAR

etc. It is alleged that on 24.10.2023, petitioner committed sexual intercourse with the complainant against her wish and thereafter, continued to have sexual intercourse with her. However, later, he refused to marry her on the pretext that his parents were not agreeing for the marriage and told her to leave his company etc.

A careful perusal of the complaint averments goes to show that the victim has not alleged that, on the false pretext of marriage, petitioner subjected her to sexual intercourse. She has stated that after she met the petitioner, both were in love with each other and inspite of the advise by the family members, they continued their relationship. Complainant is aged 27 years. She is working as teacher in a private school in Bengaluru. According to her, petitioner committed sexual intercourse with her first time on 24.10.2023. Complaint is lodged on 24.06.2025. The allegations that the petitioner has committed sexual intercourse with the victim against her will and then cheated her by not

4 - NC: 2025:KHC:34306 CRL.P No. 10642 of 2025

HC-KAR

marrying her etc., is a matter to be established in trial. In the facts and circumstances, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not necessary. The apprehension of the prosecution can be taken care of by imposing suitable conditions. Hence, the following:-

ORDER

i) Petition is allowed .

ii) Petitioner/accused in Crime No.64/2025 of

Robertsonet Police Station, K.G.F., is ordered to be

released in the event of his arrest, subject to following conditions:

a) He shall appear before the Investigating Officer within one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) with a surety for the likesum.

b) He shall furnish his residential address/contact number and shall inform the I.O/Court in case of change in the address/contact number.

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HC-KAR

c) He shall co-operate with the investigation of the case.

d) He shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence/witnesses either directly or indirectly.

e) He shall be regular in attending the Court proceedings.

Sd/(MOHAMMAD NAWAZ) JUDGE

LDC

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