Karnataka High Court Grants Bail to Young Adults in Cyber Crime Case
Court Finds No Need for Custodial Interrogation as Investigation Substantially Completed
In a significant judgment passed on October 8, 2025, the Karnataka High Court, presided by Mr. Shivashankar Amarannavar, J., granted bail and anticipatory bail to young adults involved in a cyber crime case registered at Bangalore's Cyber Crime Police Station. The judgment pertains to Criminal Petition Nos. 12940, 12867, 12917, 12936, 12944, and 13166 of 2025, filed by petitioners aged between 18 to 25 years, accused of various offenses under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
The petitions were filed seeking relief from custodial interrogation for offenses including Sections 67 and 66(C) of the Information Technology Act, and Sections 351(2), 351(3), 352, 75(1)(iv), and 79 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The Court noted that the alleged offenses primarily involved bailable offenses, with only one non-bailable offense-Section 75(1)(iv) of BNS-punishable by imprisonment for one year.
The counsel for the petitioners argued that the major portion of the investigation was already completed, and the petitioners posed no threat to the investigation or prosecution witnesses. They emphasized that the petitioners are young individuals, including students, with no prior criminal records, and cited a precedent set by the Supreme Court in Satendar Kumar Antil v. CBI, where arrest was deemed unnecessary for offenses punishable by less than seven years.
Opposing the petitions, the Additional SPP highlighted the serious nature of allegations, including threats of murder and rape. However, the Court found that the completion of the investigation and the filing of the charge sheet negated the need for custodial interrogation.
Ultimately, the High Court granted bail to the petitioners, subject to conditions like executing personal bonds, non-interference with witnesses, and cooperation with ongoing investigations, if any. The Court rejected the Additional SPP's contention for referral to a Special Bench, noting that the Sessions Court had initially rejected the bail petitions.
This judgment underscores the Court's balanced approach in handling cyber crime cases involving young adults, ensuring justice while safeguarding individual rights.
Bottom Line:
Bail/Anticipatory Bail granted for offences under Information Technology Act, 2000 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Custodial interrogation not required as investigation substantially completed and petitioners are young adults aged 18-25 years.
Statutory provision(s): Sections 351(2), 351(3), 352, 75(1)(iv), 79 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; Sections 67, 66(C) of Information Technology Act, 2000
Pramodh K v. State of Karnataka, (Karnataka) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2792296
