The Karnataka High Court on January 19, 2026, granted regular bail to a 33-year-old man accused in a mob assault case that led to the death of a spectator during a local cricket match in Mangaluru. The incident allegedly followed the victim raising the slogan “Pakistan Pakistan Zindabad,” which triggered violence inside the stadium.
Background of the Case
The case arises from Crime No.37/2025 registered by Mangaluru Rural Police. According to the prosecution, during a cricket match, an unidentified man entered the ground and shouted the controversial slogan. Players and spectators reportedly chased him, assaulted him with hands and wooden clubs, and the man later died due to the injuries.
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Sri Natesh Kumar, accused No.4 in the case, was arrested on April 29, 2025. He moved the High Court seeking bail under Section 439 of the Criminal Procedure Code and the corresponding provision of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Arguments Before the Court
Senior counsel appearing for the petitioner argued that the incident was not a pre-planned murder. He submitted that the maximum offence attracted would be culpable homicide not amounting to murder, not murder itself. The defence stressed that the charge sheet had already been filed and custodial interrogation was no longer required.
It was also pointed out that several other accused, including those allegedly wielding clubs, had already been granted bail by the Sessions Court.
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Opposing the plea, the State argued that the petitioner played an active role. The Additional State Public Prosecutor submitted that the petitioner, along with another accused, allegedly brought chilli powder from a house nearby and threw it into the eyes and body of the deceased, instigating others to assault him. The prosecution contended that the charge sheet disclosed a clear prima facie case.
Court’s Observations
After examining the charge sheet, Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar noted that the fatal assault was carried out by a group and that the use of clubs was attributed to specific accused who had already secured bail.
The Court observed that the petitioner had been in judicial custody for nearly nine months and had no criminal antecedents. Importantly, since the investigation was complete and the charge sheet filed, there was no further need for custodial interrogation.
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“The materials placed on record show that the petitioner is not required for further custodial interrogation,” the bench observed while weighing the bail plea.
Decision
Allowing the criminal petition, the High Court granted bail to the petitioner, subject to strict conditions. The Court directed him to execute a personal bond of ₹1 lakh with one surety of the same amount. He was also ordered not to tamper with prosecution witnesses and to appear before the trial court on all hearing dates unless exempted.
With these directions, the bail plea was allowed, bringing temporary relief to the accused as the sessions trial in S.C. No.115/2025 continues before the VI Additional District and Sessions Judge, Dakshina Kannada, Mangaluru.
Case Title:- Sri Natesh Kumar v. State of Karnataka
Case Number: Criminal Petition No. 17346 of 2025
Date of Order: January 19, 2026
