Karnataka High Court Grants Bail To Persons Booked For Defacing Dr BR Ambedkar's Portrait With Cow Dung

The Karnataka High Court has granted bail to two persons accused of defiling the portrait of Dr. B R Ambedkar with cow dung at Hosakote, noting that the appellants have been in judicial custody since April 28, 2026. [2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 233]

While granting bail, Justice S. Rachaiah noted that an eye witness had seen and identified the two appellants and a third accused throwing cow dung at Ambedkar's portrait, as seen from the case diary and chargsheet. However, the court also took into account the duration of the appellants' period of judicial custody, while granting bail.

“…As per the said statement, it would indicate that the appellants and accused No.3 have defaced the portrait of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar by throwing cow dung and he is stated to have identified those persons. However, he did not disclose immediately as he was going to Bangalor. Further, the statement of complainant indicates that these persons defaced the portrait of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar with cow dung. …Be that as it may, the appellants are in judicial custody since 28.04.2026. Having considered the gravity and nature of offence, it is appropriate to grant bail to the appellants by imposing suitable bail conditions that will take care of apprehension of the prosecution…”, the court said.

The prosecution version is that the appellants belonging to the Reddy Community defaced Ambedkar's portrait. Before the High Court, the state counsel submitted that defacing such a veteran and eminent person is not only an offence committed against a particular person but against a nation. They have committed 'a heinous crime' by defacing the portrait of a person who is known as the 'father of the constitution', the state's counsel added.

The appellants' contended that the appellants are young earning members of their family and that no individuals had seen the alleged incident. Considering the long period of judicial custody undergone, bail should be granted, it was urged by the appellants.

The case allegedly arose from a civil dispute between the accused and the complainant in the case.

The appellants were accused of offences under Section 3(1)(t) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and Section 298 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, registered by the Hosakote Police Station. The accused number 3 is the father of one of the appellants.

Accordingly, after noting the gravity of the offence, the court allowed the pleas and set aside the order passed by the II Additional District and Sessions Judge, Bengaluru Rural District, on May 14, 2026. The appellants were directed to be enlarged on bail subject to stringent conditions and upon furnishing a personal bond for a sum of Rs. 1,00,000 each with one surety each for the like sum, to the satisfaction of the jurisdictional Court.

Case Title: M. Ajay Kumar & Anr. v. State by Hosakote Police & Anr.

Case No: Criminal Appeal No. 869 of 2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 233

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