The Karnataka High Court has granted bail to an accused in a case connected to the death of a daily wager from Kerala, who was allegedly assaulted by a group after raising the slogan “Pakistan Pakistan Zindabad” during a local cricket match in Mangaluru.

A Bench of Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar held “The other accused stated to have assaulted with the hands and kicked the deceased. The accused persons who have assaulted the deceased with club i.e., accused Nos.16 and 17 have been granted bail by the Sessions Court. The petitioner is in judicial custody since 29.04.2025 and as the charge sheet is filed, this petitioner is not required for further custodial interrogation. There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner.”

Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam appeared for the Petitioner and Advocate Mohd Ayub Ali appeared for the Respondent.

According to the prosecution, the deceased had entered the cricket ground during the match and raised the slogan “Pakistan Pakistan Zindabad.” It was alleged that players and spectators then chased and assaulted him with hands and clubs, which led to his death. He contended that the charge sheet had already been filed and, therefore, he was not required for any further custodial interrogation. He also submitted that he had been in judicial custody since April 29, 2025, and that some of the co-accused had already been granted bail by the Sessions Court.

Opposing the plea, the prosecution argued that he and another accused had brought chilli powder from their house and thrown it into the eyes and on the body of the deceased. It was further alleged that they had instigated the other accused to assault him.

The Court allowed the bail plea of one of the accused, and ordered his release.

Cause Title: Natesh Kumar v. The State of Karnataka, [2026:KHC:2657]

Appearance:

Petitioner: Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam, Advocate Nishanth S K

Respondent: Advocate Mohd Ayub Ali

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Karnataka High CourtJustice Shivashankar Amarannavar

Suchita Shukla

Associate Editor

Suchita Shukla is an Associate Editor at Verdictum, with a strong foundation in legal research and writing, she brings over 4.5 years of experience to the table, having honed her skills in the dynamic field of law. She covers Supreme Court and High Courts. She completed her BA-LLB (Hons.) 5-year course with specialisation in Intellectual Property rights from Galgotias University. Since 2019, apart from having worked at a legal publishing house she has also ventured into legal journalism.