1. Accused Nos.1 and 4 to 10 in Crime No.56/2024 registered by Santemaralli Police Station, Chamarajanagara, for the offences punishable under Sections 420 , 465 , 468 , 471 and 417 of IPC, are before this Court under Section 438 of Cr.P.C. in these three petitions.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the parties.

3. FIR in Crime No.56/2024 was registered by Santemaralli Police Station, Chamarajanagara, for the aforesaid offences against Jyothi HP and nine others on the basis of the first information dated 30.07.2024 received from T. M. Jayasheela, CDPO, Chamarajanagara District. Petitioners herein are arraigned as accused Nos.1, 4 to 10 in -5- NC: 2024:KHC:43746 CRL.P No. 11237/2024 C/W CRL.P Nos.11240/2024, 11247/2024 the aforesaid FIR. Apprehending arrest in the said case, petitioners had filed bail applications in Crl.Misc.Nos.276/2024, 289/2024 and 333/2024 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court which were rejected. Therefore, they are before this Court.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that allegation as against all the ten accused is identical. Accused Nos.2 and 3 have been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in Crl.P.No.8899/2024 and Crl.P.No.9525/2024. He submits that petitioners are all ladies and considering the nature of allegations, custodial interrogation of the petitioners may not be necessary. Accordingly, he prays to allow the petitions.

5. Per contra, learned HCGP has opposed the petitions. He submits that accused persons have produced fraudulent documents for the purpose of securing the post of Anganawadi Worker and Anganawadi Assistant. Accordingly, he prays to dismiss the petitions.

6. A perusal of the first information would go to show that allegation as against accused Nos.1 to 10 are identical. Accused Nos.1 to 10 allegedly had submitted applications to the post of Anganawadi Worker and Anganawadi Assistant by producing fraudulent marks cards along with their applications. Accused Nos.2 and 3 have been granted anticipatory bail by this Court in Crl.P.No.8899/2024 and Crl.P.No.9525/2024 disposed of on -6- NC: 2024:KHC:43746 CRL.P No. 11237/2024 C/W CRL.P Nos.11240/2024, 11247/2024 02.09.2024 and 19.09.2024 respectively. Petitioners herein are all married ladies and considering the nature of allegations found in the first information, their custodial interrogation may not be necessary. Considering the aforesaid aspects of the matter, I am of the opinion that prayer made by petitioners for grant of anticipatory bail requires to be answered affirmatively. Accordingly, the following order:-

(S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE DN