The City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru has granted bail to two men accused in a high-profile jewelry store burglary involving the theft of five kilograms of gold. The order, delivered by Sri Shriram Narayan Hegde, the LV Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, provides a significant turn in the investigation of a heist valued at approximately Rs 2.5 crores.

The petitioners, identified as Manurul Shaik alias Anarul Shaik, aged 40, a resident of Jharkhand, and Take Bahadur Soudh, aged 36, a native of Nepal, were arrested in connection with Crime No. 77/2022 registered at the J.P. Nagar Police Station. The two men, listed as Accused No. 7 and Accused No. 11, were booked under Sections 457 and 380 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertain to lurking house-trespass and theft in a dwelling house.

Details of the Priyadarshini Jewellers Heist

The case surfaced following a complaint by Sri Raju Devadiga. According to the prosecution, the accused were part of a gang that targeted Priyadarshini Jewellers, located on Kanakapura Road in J.P. Nagar I Phase. The perpetrators allegedly broke into the store and used specialized tools to breach the security locker. The thieves made away with five kilograms of gold ornaments, estimated to be worth Rs 2.5 crores.

During the hearing, the legal counsel for Shaik and Soudh argued that the petitioners were innocent and had been falsely implicated in the crime. The defense contended that no incriminating materials or stolen gold had been recovered directly from their possession. It was further argued that both men were the primary breadwinners for their respective families and had no prior criminal records. The defense maintained that the men only became aware of the theft once they were taken into police custody and were victims of circumstance rather than active participants in the conspiracy.

Prosecution Opposes Liberty Citing Absconding Kingpin

The Public Prosecutor strongly contested the bail application, highlighting the gravity of the crime. The state argued that the heist was a meticulously planned “heinous offense” that carried a potential punishment of up to 14 years of imprisonment. The prosecution raised concerns that the alleged mastermind of the operation, Kamaruddin alias Guddu, remains at large.

The state argued that if Shaik and Soudh were released on bail, they might coordinate with the absconding main accused, tamper with crucial evidence, or flee the country, especially considering that one of the petitioners is a foreign national from Nepal. The prosecution emphasized that the recovery of the stolen property was still ongoing and the release of the accused could jeopardize the final stages of the investigation.

Judicial Reasoning and Bail Conditions

After hearing both sides, Judge Shriram Narayan Hegde observed that while the allegations were serious, the offenses were triable by a Magistrate and did not carry the death penalty or life imprisonment. The court noted that at the bail stage, it is not required to conduct a “mini-trial” to determine guilt, but rather to assess if the accused’s liberty can be balanced with the requirements of the law.

The judge found that since the petitioners had established their identities and provided permanent addresses, the apprehension regarding them absconding could be mitigated by imposing stringent conditions. The court emphasized that the petitioners must remain available for the trial and must not interfere with the judicial process.

The court allowed the bail petition and ordered the release of Manurul Shaik and Take Bahadur Soudh upon the execution of a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each. Additionally, they were required to provide one surety for a similar amount and a cash security deposit of Rs 10,000 each.

To ensure their continued cooperation, the court imposed several strict conditions. The accused are prohibited from tampering with prosecution witnesses or committing similar offenses while on bail. They are mandated to cooperate with the Investigating Officer whenever called for questioning. Furthermore, they must mark their attendance at the J.P. Nagar Police Station on every second Sunday of the month between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. until the final charge sheet is filed.