Allowed

Vinod S v. State of Karnataka

Karnataka HC16 Sept 2026CRL.A/1466/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court of Karnataka allowed a criminal appeal against the denial of bail by the Special Court in a case involving offences under the BNS, POCSO Act and SC/ST (POA) Act. The court noted the victim's statement under Section 183 BNSS acknowledging a love affair and the completion of investigation, and released the appellant on bail subject to conditions.

What did the court decide?

Appellant released on bail on executing a self bond of Rs.1,00,000 with one surety for like sum; conditions imposed including non-tampering with witnesses, appearance on all hearing dates, and not committing similar offences.

Vinod S Vs State of Karnataka — Caste Atrocities | Karnataka HC (2026)

¶1

¶2

HC-KAR

¶3

NC: 2026:KHC:50742 CRL.A No. 1466 of 2026

¶4

CNR: KAHC010602712026

¶5

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 16^TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE

¶6

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G BASAVARAJA CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1466 OF 2026 (U/S 14(A) (2)-)

¶7

BETWEEN:

¶8

VINOD S S/O SHEKAR, AGED ABOUT 23 YEARS, R/A NO. 118, 13TH CROSS, NEAR VARASIDDHI VINAYAKA TEMPLE, BANDI REDDY CIRCLE, L.N.PURA, SRIRAMPURA, BENGALUR-560021.

¶9

…APPELLANT

¶10

(BY SRI. BRIJESH RAJPUT.,ADVOCATE)

¶11

AND:

¶12

STATE OF KARNATAKA SRIRAMPURA POLICE, REPT BY SPP, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BANGALORE-560001.

¶13

Digitally signed by LAKSHMINARAYAN N Location: High Court of Karnataka

¶14

K. SAVITA, W/O B. KUMARESHAN, AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS, R/A U-40, 3RD CROSS, DAYANANDA NAGAR, SRIRAMPURA, BANGALORE-560021

¶15

…RESPONDENTS

¶16

(BY SRI. K. NAGESHWARAPPA, HCGP FOR R1, R2 SERVED & PRESENT BEFORE COURT.)

¶17

CRL.A. FILED U/S 14(A)(2) OF SC/ST (POA) ACT, 2015 BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE APPELLANT/S PRAYING THAT THIS HONBLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO SET-ASIDE THE ORDER PASSED BYTHE HONBLE ADDL. CITY CIVIL AND SESSIONS JUDGE-FTSC-II, AT BANGALORE, IN CRL. MIS NO.7282/2026

¶18

¶19

HC-KAR

¶20

NC: 2026:KHC:50742 CRL.A No. 1466 of 2026

¶21

CNR: KAHC010602712026

¶22

ON 19-08-2026, BY ALLOWING THE CRIMINAL APPEAL AND ENLARGE THE APPELLANT ON BAIL ARRESTED BY THE RESPONDENT POLICE IN CRIME NO. 125/2026 AGAINST THE ABOVE APPELLANT FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 64 OF BNS AND SECTION 4 OF POCSO ACT 2012 AND SECTION 3(1) (w) (i) (ii) OF SC AND ST (PREVENTION OF ATROCITIES) AMENDMENT ACT, PENDING BEFORE THE HONBLE ADDL.CITY CIVIL AND SESSIONS JUDGE FTSC-II, AT BENGALURU.

¶23

THIS APPEAL, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER:

¶24

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G BASAVARAJA

¶25

ORAL JUDGMENT

¶26

Respondent No.2 present. Objection is not

¶27

filed. However, on 10.09.2026 she endorsed on order-

¶28

sheet that she has no objection to grant bail.

¶29

The appellant has preferred this appeal against

¶30

the orders passed by Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, FTSC-III, C/C Addl. City Civil and Sessions Judge - FTSC-II, Bengaluru City, in Crl. Misc No.7282/2026 dated 19.08.2026. Respondent No.2 appeared before this Court and she has no objection to grant bail.

¶31

I have heard the arguments on behalf of the appellant and learned HCGP Sri Nageshwarappa K.

¶32

¶33

HC-KAR

¶34

NC: 2026:KHC:50742 CRL.A No. 1466 of 2026

¶35

CNR: KAHC010602712026

¶36

On the basis of the complaint filed by K.Savita, Srirampura Police registered the case in Crime No.125/2026 against the accused for the commission of offence under Sections 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Section 4 of POCSO Act, 2012 and Section 3(1)(w)(i)(ii) of the SC and ST (POA) Amendment Act, 2015. Accused was arrested by the police on 09.07.2026 and was produced before the Special Judge. Accused was remanded to judicial custody. Till this day, accused is in judicial custody.

¶37

It is submitted that charge-sheet is already filed against the accused/appellant for the offences punishable under Sections 4 and 6 of POCSO Act, 2012 and Section 3(1)(w)(i)(ii) and 3(2)(v) of the SC and ST (POA) Amendment Act, 2015 and Section 64 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. In the charge-sheet, at column No.17, it is alleged as under:

¶38

" zÉÆÃµÁgÉÆÃ¥Àt ¥ÀvÀæzÀ PÁ®A 12 gÀ°è £ÀªÀÄÆ¢¹gÀÄªÀ DgÉÆÃ¦vÀ£ÀÄ "ªÀ¤ßAiÀÄgï" ( OBC ) eÁwUÉ ¸ÉÃjzÀªÀ£ÁVzÀÄÝ, ¨ÉAUÀ¼ÀÆgÀÄ £ÀUÀgÀzÀ ²æÃgÁA¥ÀÅgÀ, J¯ï J£ï

¶39

¶40

HC-KAR

¶41

NC: 2026:KHC:50742 CRL.A No. 1466 of 2026

¶42

CNR: KAHC010602712026

¶43

¥ÀÅgÀ, §Ar gÉrØ ¸ÀPÀð¯ï, 13£ÉÃ PÁæ¸ï, ¥Àæ±ÁAvï £ÀUÀgÀzÀ°ègÀÄªÀ ªÀgÀ¹¢Þ «£ÁAiÀÄPÀ zÉÃªÀ¸ÁÜ£ÀzÀ ºÀwÛgÀ ªÀÄ£É £ÀA§gï 118 gÀ ¤ªÁ¹AiÀiÁVgÀÄvÁÛ£É. ¥ÀæPÀgÀtzÀ £ÉÆAzÀ C¥Áæ¥ÀÛ ¨Á®Q ¸ÁQë 3 gÀªÀgÀÄ ¥Àj²µÀÖ eÁwAiÀÄ "D¢ PÀ£ÁðlPÀ" eÁwUÉ ¸ÉÃjzÀªÀgÁVgÀÄvÁÛgÉ. ¸ÁQë -3 gÀªÀgÀ d£Àä ¢£ÁAPÀ 09.01.2009 DVzÀÄÝ, PÀÈvÀå £ÀqÉzÀ ¢£ÁAPÀzÀAzÀÄ CªÀgÀ ªÀAiÀÄ¸ÀÄì 17 ªÀµÀð £Á®ÄÌ wAUÀ¼ÀÄ 26 ¢£ÀUÀ¼ÁVgÀÄvÀÛzÉ.

¶44

¸ÁQë 3 ºÁUÀÆ DgÉÆÃ¦vÀ£ÀÄ ¨ÉAUÀ¼ÀÆgÀÄ £ÀUÀgÀzÀ ²æÃgÁA¥ÀÅgÀ ¥ÉÇ°Ã¸ï oÁuÉ ¸ÀgÀºÀ¢Ý£À°è ªÁ¸ÀªÁVzÀÄÝ, E§âgÀÄ MAzÉÃ ¥ÀæzÉÃ±ÀzÀªÀgÁVgÀÄªÀÅzÀjAzÀ ¸ÀÄªÀiÁgÀÄ 08 ªÀµÀðUÀ½AzÀ ¥ÀgÀ¸ÀàgÀ ¥ÀjZÀAiÀÄ EgÀÄvÀÛzÉ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ E§âgÀÄ ¦æÃwAiÀÄ£ÀÄß ªÀiÁqÀÄwÛgÀÄvÁÛgÉ. ¸ÁQë-22, ¸ÁQë-23 ¸ÁQë-24 ºÁUÀÆ ¸ÁQë-25 gÀªÀgÀÄUÀ½UÉ DgÉÆÃ¦vÀ£ÀÄ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ ¸ÁQë-3 gÀªÀgÀÄ ¥ÀgÀ¸ÀàgÀ ¦æÃw¸ÀÄwÛzÀÝ «ZÁgÀ w½¢gÀÄvÀÛzÉ. DgÉÆÃ¦vÀ¤UÉ ¸ÁQë-3 gÀªÀgÀÄ ¥Àj²µÀÖ eÁwUÉ ¸ÉÃjzÀ C¥Áæ¥ÀÛ ¨Á®Q JAzÀÄ w½¢zÀÝgÀÆ ¸ÀºÀ DPÉAiÀÄ£ÀÄß ¯ÉÊAVPÀªÁV §¼À¹PÉÆ¼ÀÄîªÀ GzÉÝÃ±À¢AzÀ ¢£ÁAPÀ 04.06.2026 gÀAzÀÄ ¨ÉAUÀ¼ÀÆgÀÄ £ÀUÀgÀzÀ ²æÃgÁA¥ÀÅgÀ J¯ï J£ï ¥ÀÅgÀ, §Ar gÉrØ ¸ÀPÀð¯ï, ¥Àæ±ÁAvï £ÀUÀgÀ, 13£ÉÃ PÁæ¸ï £À°ègÀÄªÀ ªÀgÀ¹¢Þ «£ÁAiÀÄPÀ zÉÃªÀ¸ÁÜ£À ºÀwÛgÀzÀ vÀ£Àß ªÀÄ£É £ÀA§gï 118 gÀ°è AiÀiÁgÀÄ E®è¢gÀÄªÀÅzÀ£ÀÄß w½zÀÄPÉÆAqÀÄ, ¸ÁQë-3gÀªÀgÀ£ÀÄß vÀ£Àß ªÀÄ£ÉUÉ PÀgÉ¹PÉÆAqÀÄ ¸ÁQë-3 gÀªÀgÀ£ÀÄß ªÀÄzÀÄªÉAiÀiÁUÀÄªÀÅzÁV ¨sÀgÀªÀ¸É ¤Ãr ¥ÀÄ¸À¯Á¬Ä¹ ¸ÁQë-3 gÀªÀgÀÄ ¤gÁPÀj¹zÀgÀÄ ¸ÀºÀ CªÀgÀ EZÉÒUÉ «gÀÄzÀÞªÁV §®ªÀAvÀªÁV ¯ÉÊAVPÀ zËdð£Àå J¸ÀVgÀÄvÁÛ£É. C®èzÉÃ, F «µÀAiÀÄªÀ£ÀÄß AiÀiÁjUÀÆ ºÉÃ¼À¨ÁgÀzÉAzÀÄ ¸ÁQë-3 gÀªÀgÉUÉ ¨ÉzÀjPÉ ºÁQgÀÄvÁÛ£É. £ÀAvÀgÀ dÆ£ï 2026gÀ°è ¸ÁQë-3 gÀªÀgÀ DgÉÆÃUÀåzÀ°è KgÀÄ¥ÉÃgÀÄ GAmÁVgÀÄªÀÅzÀ£ÀÄß UÀªÀÄ¤¹zÀ ¸ÁQë-1 gÀªÀgÀÄ ¸ÁQë-3 gÀªÀgÀ£ÀÄß «ZÁj¹zÁUÀ, DgÉÆÃ¦vÀ J-1 gÀªÀgÀÄ ¯ÉÊAVPÀ ¸ÀA¨sÉÆÃUÀ £ÀqÉ¹zÀ ¥ÀjuÁªÀÄªÁV ¸ÁQë-3 gÀªÀgÀÄ UÀ©üðtÂ DVgÀÄªÀÅzÀÄ w½zÀÄ§A¢gÀÄvÀÛzÉ. £ÀAvÀgÀ ¤AiÀÄªÀiÁ£ÀÄ¸ÁgÀ ªÉÊzÁå¢üPÁjAiÀiÁzÀ ¸ÁQë-16 gÀªÀgÀÄ C¥Áæ¥ÀÛ ¨Á®QAiÀÄ UÀ¨sÀðªÀ£ÀÄß ªÉÊzÀåQÃAiÀÄ «zsÁ£Á£ÀÄ¸ÁgÀ MTP ªÀiÁr¹gÀÄvÁÛgÉ.

¶45

¶46

HC-KAR

¶47

NC: 2026:KHC:50742 CRL.A No. 1466 of 2026

¶48

CNR: KAHC010602712026

¶49

»ÃUÉ £ÉÆAzÀ C¥Áæ¥ÀÛ ¨Á®Q ¸ÁQë 3 gÀªÀgÀÄ ¥Àj²µÀÖ eÁw "D¢ PÀ£ÁðlPÀ" eÁwUÉ ¸ÉÃjzÀªÀgÁVzÀÄÝ C¥Áæ¥ÀÛ ¨Á®Q DVgÀÄªÀÅzÀÄ DgÉÆÃ¦vÀ¤UÉ w½zÀgÀÆ ¸ÀºÀ CªÀgÀ£ÀÄß ¯ÉÊAVPÀªÁV §¼À¹PÉÆ¼ÀÄîªÀ GzÉÝÃ±À¢AzÀ ¸ÀÄ¼ÀÄî «ªÁºÀzÀ ¨sÀgÀªÀ¸É ¤Ãr £ÀA©¹ ºÁUÀÆ ¥ÀÅ¸À¯Á¬Ä¹ CªÀgÀ EZÉÒUÉ «gÀÄzÀÞªÁV ¯ÉÊAVPÀ zËdð£Àå J¸ÀVgÀÄªÀÅzÀÄ vÀ¤SÉAiÀÄ ¸ÀAzÀ¨sÀðzÀ°è ¸ÀAUÀæ»¸À¯ÁzÀ ¸ÁQëzÁgÀgÀ ºÉÃ½PÉUÀ¼ÀÄ, zÁR¯ÁwUÀ¼ÀÄ ºÁUÀÆ EvÀgÉ ¸ÀPÁëöåzsÁgÀUÀ½AzÀ zÀÈqsÀ¥ÀnÖgÀÄvÀÛzÉ. DzÀÝjAzÀ DgÉÆÃ¦vÀ «£ÉÆÃzsï J¸ï JA§ÄªÀªÀgÀ «gÀÄzÀÞ ¸ÉPÀë£ï 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 4 & 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 ºÁUÀÆ Sections 3(1)(w)(i), 3(1)(w)(ii) ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 jÃvÁå zÉÆÃµÁgÉÆÃ¥ÀuÁ ¥ÀvÀæªÀ£ÀÄß ¸À°è¸À¯ÁVzÉ.

¶50

n¥ÀàtÂ: ¥ÀæPÀgÀtzÀ £ÉÆAzÀ ¨Á®QAiÀÄ ªÉÊzÀåQÃAiÀÄ ¥ÀjÃPÉëAiÀÄ ¸ÀªÀÄAiÀÄzÀ°è ¸ÀAUÀæ»¹zÀ gÀPÀÛzÀ ªÀiÁzÀjAiÀÄ£ÀÄß ¢£ÁAPÀ: 15.07.2026 gÀAzÀÄ ºÁUÀÆ ¥ÀæPÀgÀtzÀ J-1 DgÉÆÃ¦¬ÄAzÀ ªÉÊzÀågÀÄ ¸ÀAUÀæ»¹zÀ gÀPÀÛzÀ ªÀiÁzÀjAiÀÄ£ÀÄß rJ£ïJ ¥ÀjÃPÉëUÉ ¢£ÁAPÀ 29.07.2026 gÀAzÀÄ J¥sï.J¸ï.J¯ï UÉ PÀ¼ÀÄ»¹ PÉÆnÖzÀÄÝ ªÀgÀ¢ §AzÀ £ÀAvÀgÀ ªÀiÁ£Àå £ÁåAiÀiÁ®AiÀÄPÉÌ ¸À°è¸À¯ÁUÀÄªÀÅzÀÄ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ ¦AiÀiÁð¢ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ DgÉÆÃ¦AiÀÄÄ ªÉÆ¨ÉÊ¯ï £ÀA§gï UÀ¼À ¹rDgï ªÀÄvÀÄÛ PÁå¥ï ªÀiÁ»wAiÀÄÄ PÁ®A 64(3) BSA-2023 jÃvÁå ¸ÀA§AzsÀ¥ÀlÖ PÀA¥À¤AiÀÄªÀjAzÀ §gÀÄªÀÅzÀÄ ¨ÁQ EzÀÄÝ §AzÀ £ÀAvÀgÀ ªÀiÁ£Àå £ÁåAiÀiÁ®AiÀÄPÉÌ ¸À°è¸À¯ÁUÀÄªÀÅzÀÄ."

¶51

6. Learned counsel for the appellant would submit

¶52

that absolutely there are no materials to attract the alleged aggravated penetrative sexual assault. In the statement recorded under Section 183 of BNSS, she has

¶53

¶54

HC-KAR

¶55

NC: 2026:KHC:50742 CRL.A No. 1466 of 2026

¶56

CNR: KAHC010602712026

¶57

clearly stated that there was a love affair between the victim and the accused. This statement clearly goes to show that there is no forcible sex and it is only a consensual sex and that there are no acceptable evidence

¶58

as to the date of birth of the victim. The prosecution papers reveals that the age of the victim is more than 17 years 6 months. Further it is submitted that the relationship between the victim and the accused is a romantic relationship. In such circumstances, in view of

¶59

the decision of Hon'ble Apex Court, in the case of Dharmender Singh @ Saheb v. State (Govt. Of Nct Of Delhi) & Anr. reported in 2020 SCC OnLine Del. 1267 and

¶60

Riyaz v. State (Govt. Of NCT of Delhi) and Another reported in 2024 SCC OnLine Del 5918. Accused is entitled for Bail. On these grounds sought to allow this appeal.

¶61

On careful examination of the entire materials placed before this Court, at this stage, without expressing

¶62

any opinion on the merits of the case, considering the statement of victim recorded under Section 183 of BNSS,

¶63

7 - NC: 2026:KHC:50742 CRL.A No. 1466 of 2026

¶64

HC-KAR

¶65

CNR: KAHC010602712026

¶66

2023, and the submission of the victim before this Court, so also, as the investigation is already completed, I am of the opinion that, it is just and proper to allow this appeal with conditions. Accordingly, I proceed to pass the following:

¶67

ORDER

¶68

i. Appeal is allowed.

¶69

ii. The orders passed by the Addl. City

¶70

Civil and Session Judge, FTSC-III C/C Addl. City

¶71

Civil and Sessions Judge, FTSC-II, Bengaluru City in Crl.Misc No.7282/2026 dated 19.08.2026, is set aside.

¶72

iii. Consequently, application filed under Section 483 of BNSS is allowed.

¶73

iv. The appellant/accused shall be released on bail on executing a self bond of Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety for like sum to the satisfaction of the trial Court.

¶74

¶75

HC-KAR

¶76

NC: 2026:KHC:50742 CRL.A No. 1466 of 2026

¶77

CNR: KAHC010602712026

¶78

v. The appellant/accused shall not

¶79

tamper or threaten the prosecution witness in

¶80