Sunday Chukwudi v. the State of Karnataka
Case brief
What is this about?
Karnataka HC Bengaluru (S.R. Krishna Kumar J, 08-09-2025) allows CRL.P No. 12072 of 2025 (NC: 2025:KHC:35106); quashes arrest (12.07.2024) and remand (13.07.2024) of accused No.2 in Crime No.357/2024 (Ss.8(c), 22(c) NDPS Act r/w S.14 Foreigners Act) for non-furnishing/communication of grounds of arrest; doctrine of parity with co-accused Kingsley Nana (relief earlier granted in Crl.P.10739/2025, order dt. 24.07.2025); Article 22(1) Constitution; Ss.47, 48 BNSS 2023; S.52 NDPS Act; reliance on Pankaj Bansal (2024) 7 SCC 576, Prabir Purkayastha (2024) 8 SCC 254, Vihaan Kumar 2025 INSC 162, Kasireddy Upender Reddy 2025 INSC 768; release on conditional basis with Rs.1,00,000/- bond; liberty to State under Foreigners Act/Passports Act; 482 CrPC / 528 BNSS.
What did the court decide?
Petition allowed; arrest dated 12.07.2024 and remand order dated 13.07.2024 in Crime No.357/2024 quashed; petitioner/accused No.2 directed to be released forthwith subject to conditions (personal bond Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety for likesum, no tampering with evidence/witnesses, no similar offences, cooperation with investigation, no leaving Court's jurisdiction without permission, address/identity proof, fortnightly SHO attendance); liberty reserved to prosecution/Trial Court to revoke on violation and to the State to proceed under the Foreigners Act, Passports Act etc.