Karnataka High Court orders release of Ningappa, prime accused in extortion case on interim bail citing procedural lapses in his arrest

The High Court of Karnataka ordered the release of Ningappa G., alias Ningappa Savant, a former police head constable, on interim bail on Thursday, citing a procedural lapse in his arrest in the case of extortion of crores of rupees from public servants by leaking information about possible Lokayukta raids. Ningappa is the prime accused in the case.

Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar passed the interim order on a petition filed by his wife, Chandrakala G.K.

Interestingly, the Lokayukta police informed the High Court that Ningappa could be released on interim bail, subject to certain conditions. The court said that it would release the interim order by incorporating the conditions.

It was pointed out in the petition that the Lokayukta police had failed to produce the accused before the jurisdictional magistrate within 24 hours of his arrest. His wife had pointed out that the Lokayukta police had falsely projected the date of arrest as June 2 and the location of arrest as Bengaluru, even though he was taken into custody on May 31 at Hosadurga taluk in Chitradurga district.