Sri Kumar @ Vakala v. State of Karnataka
Case brief
What is this about?
Regular bail; murder s.302 IPC and criminal conspiracy s.120(B) IPC; unlawful assembly/riots/harbouling ss.143, 147, 148, 212, 149 IPC in charge-sheet; SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act s.14A(2) appeal; Section 3(2)(v) SC/ST (POA) (Amendment) Act, 2015; five eye-witnesses failed to report killing to police promptly; motive alleged as unpaid brokerage/commission for mediation in sale of 15 acres immovable property, not caste-based killing; bail on personal bond Rs.1,00,000/- plus one surety; conditions: no threatening witnesses, attendance at all hearings, no leaving Court jurisdiction; Bidadi Police Station Crime No.158/2021; Spl.Case.No.69/2021 before 1st Addl. District and Sessions Judge, Ramanagara; impugned order dated 24.08.2021 in Crl.Misc.No.583/2021; CRL.A No. 892 of 2025; Justice S Rachaiah; judgment dated 06.08.2025.
What did the court decide?
Criminal Appeal allowed; order dated 24.08.2021 in Crl.Misc.No.583/2021 (rejecting bail) set aside; appellant (accused No.1) enlarged on bail on executing a personal bond of Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety to the like sum, subject to conditions: (iv) shall not threaten the eye-witnesses or other witnesses till disposal of the case and shall appear before the Trial Court on every hearing date; (v) shall not leave the jurisdiction of the Court till disposal of the case.