(PER: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.VISHWAJITH SHETTY)

1. Accused Nos.3, 4 and 6 in Crime No.18/2025 registered by the Hubballi Sub-Urban Police Station, Hubballi - Dharwad District for the offences punishable under Sections 406 , 417 , 420 , 120(A) read with Section 34 of IPC are before this Court in these three petitions filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023 seeking anticipatory bail.

2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties.

3. FIR in Crime No.18/2025 was registered by Hubballi Su-Urban Police Station, Hubballi-Dharwad District for the aforesaid offences against one Nikhita Subhash Kalal and others based on the first information dated 05.02.2025 received from Ramesh K.T., Police Inspector, attached to CID, Bengaluru. Apprehending arrest in the said case, the petitioners herein, who are arrayed as accused Nos.3, 4 and 6 in the FIR had filed the anticipatory bail applications -5- NC: 2025:KHC-D:9314 CRL.P No. 102700 of 2025 C/w. CRL.P No. 102710 of 2025 & CRL.P No. 102864 of 2025 HC-KAR before the jurisdictional Sessions Court, which were rejected. Therefore, they are before this Court.

4. Learned counsels for the petitioners submit that undisputedly, the petitioners were Teachers in the Coaching Centres and with similar allegations, FIR in Crime No.129 of 2019 was registered by Ranebennur Rural Police Station for similar offences. Based on the alleged materials colleted during the course of investigation in Crime No.129 of 2019, the present FIR has been registered against the accused persons with similar allegations. The petitioners were granted anticipatory bail in Crime No.129 of 2019 and they have cooperated with the Police for the purpose of investigation and they are ready and willing to cooperate with the Police even today in the present case. Accordingly, they pray to allow the petitions.

5. Per contra, learned HCGP who has opposed the petitions submits that similar modus operandi has been used by the accused persons in more than one place and -6- NC: 2025:KHC-D:9314 CRL.P No. 102700 of 2025 C/w. CRL.P No. 102710 of 2025 & CRL.P No. 102864 of 2025 HC-KAR therefore, the FIR has been registered against the accused persons. In the present case, the investigation of the case is under progress. Considering the nature of allegations, custodial interrogation of the accused is required. Accordingly, she prays for dismissal of the petitions.

6. In the first information, which is submitted by Ramesh K.T., Police Inspector, attached to CID, Bengaluru, he has stated that, during the course of investigation of Crime No.129 of 2019 registered by Ranebennur Rural Police Station for similar offences, it was found that similar crime was also committed at Hubballi-Dharwad District by the very same accused persons. It is under these circumstances, the FIR has been registered in the present case against the accused named in the FIR for the aforesaid offences, by Hubballi Sub-Urban Police Station.

7. It is not in dispute that investigation has been completed in Crime No.129 of 2019 registered by Ranebennur Rural Police Station for similar offences, -7- NC: 2025:KHC-D:9314 CRL.P No. 102700 of 2025 C/w. CRL.P No. 102710 of 2025 & CRL.P No. 102864 of 2025 HC-KAR wherein the petitioners were also arrayed as accused. It is also not in dispute that in the said case, the petitioners were granted anticipatory bail and they had cooperated with the Police for the purpose of investigation. The alleged offences are triable by the Court of Magistrate and maximum punishment for the said offences is imprisonment for a period of seven years. The petitioners have undertaken to cooperate with the Police even in the present case.

8. It is brought to the notice of this Court that even in other districts, similar FIR's have been registered against the accused persons on similar allegations.

9. Under the circumstances, I am of the opinion that the prayer made by the petitioners for grant of anticipatory bail is to answered affirmatively subject to reserving liberty to the Investigating Officer to seek custody of the petitioners if necessary by filing necessary application -8- NC: 2025:KHC-D:9314 CRL.P No. 102700 of 2025 C/w. CRL.P No. 102710 of 2025 & CRL.P No. 102864 of 2025 HC-KAR before the jurisdictional Court of Magistrate. Accordingly, the following:

However, it is made clear that on the same day on or before 6:00 p.m. the petitioners shall be released by the Investigating Officer subject to they executing personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- each with two sureties each to the likesum to the satisfaction of the Investigating Officer.

(iii) The petitioners shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons.

NC: 2025:KHC-D:9314 CRL.P No. 102700 of 2025 C/w. CRL.P No. 102710 of 2025 & CRL.P No. 102864 of 2025 HC-KAR

(iv) The petitioners shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses and they shall co-operate with the Police for investigation and appear before them whenever called upon.

(v) The petitioners shall not involve in similar offences in future.

(S.VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE VNP / CT:BCK LIST NO.: 1 SL NO.: 27