SMT.GAYATHRI.P v. THE STATE BY CCB POLICE STATION., BENGALURU

LAKSHMINARAYANA MURTHY RAJASHRI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AND:

THE STATE BY CCB POLICE STATION., BENGALURU, REP BY SPP, HIGH COURT BUILDING, BANGALORE - 01 (BY SMT.WAHEEDA M M, HCGP) …RESPONDENT - 2 - NC: 2026:KHC:7111 CRL.P No. 16679 of 2025 HC-KAR THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 CR.PC (FILED U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HER ARREST BY THE IN CONNECTION WITH CRIME RESPONDENT POLICE NO.0089/2025 IX ADDITIONAL CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, BANGALORE CITY FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISAHBLE UNDER SECTION 63 OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT AND ALSO UNDER SECTIONS 274, 318(1), 275 AND 316 OF BNS, 2023. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR ORAL ORDER This petitioner is filed by accused No.7 under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagaraik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 praying to grant anticipatory bail in Crime No.89/2025 of CCB Bengaluru registered for offences punishable under Section 63 of Copyright Act, 1957 and Sections 274, 318(1), 275, 316 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Heard the learned counsel for petitioner and the learned High Court Government Pleader respondent/State.

The learned counsel for petitioner would contend that the petitioner is the proprietor of Krishna - 3 - NC: 2026:KHC:7111 CRL.P No. 16679 of 2025 HC-KAR Enterprises, and is authorized dealer of Nandini products. The accused Nos.1 to 6 were alleged to be involved in commission of the alleged offences and have been granted bail by the Trial Court. The accused No.1 is the husband and accused No.2 is the son of this petitioner. The offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. The maximum sentence that can be imposed is imprisonment up to three years and they are triable by judicial Magistrate. The petitioner is ready to cooperate with the Investigating Officer in the investigation. The petitioner is a woman. There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner. With this, he prayed to allow the petition.

Per contra, the learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent/State would contend that the petitioner is the proprietor of Krishna Enterprises, who is the authorized dealer of Nandini brand products. There is an allegation that the petitioner was adulterating the Nandini ghee with other materials like palm oil, vanaspati - 4 - NC: 2026:KHC:7111 CRL.P No. 16679 of 2025 HC-KAR etc. The said act of the petitioner causes health issues of the consumers of Nandini brand products, and it has affected the reputation of Nandini Brand. The petitioner is required for custodial interrogation. With this, she prayed to reject the petition.

Having heard the learned counsel, the Court has perused the FIR, complaint and other materials placed on record.

The petitioner is the proprietor of Krishna Enterprises, which is the authorized dealer of Nandini brand products. The allegation in the complaint is that there is adulteration of ghee of Nandini by the petitioner and other accused by mixing palm oil, vanaspati etc. and selling the adulterated products to the retail shops. The accused Nos.1 to 6 were stated to be actively involved in the business of Krishna Enterprises and have been granted bail by the Trial Court. The accused No.1 is a woman and she is the proprietor of Krishna Enterprises. What is the - 5 - NC: 2026:KHC:7111 CRL.P No. 16679 of 2025 HC-KAR role of this petitioner in the said alleged act of adulteration of Nandini brand products is a matter of investigation. The offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. The petitioner is a woman and she is not having any criminal antecedents. The petitioner has undertaken to co-operate with the investigation and abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court.