The Karnataka High Court on Friday dismissed an anticipatory bail plea filed by a lawyer accused of promising a litigant that her son would be granted bail if money was paid as a bribe to a High Court judge [Dayeena Banu v. State of Karnataka]..Justice V Srishananda dismissed the plea after counsel representing the accused lawyer, advocate Dayeena Banu, informed the Court that she had been arrested on Thursday. The Court recorded this submission and dismissed Banu's anticipatory bail plea as infructuous. .The development came days after the High Court indicated that it was not inclined to grant Banu anticipatory bail, observing that custodial interrogation was necessary in the case.“The allegation is that the bribe was taken to give it to the judge. Whatever it is, custodial interrogation is necessary. There is no question of granting anticipatory bail,” the Court had orally observed on September 9.At the time, the Court also suggested that Banu surrender before the investigating agency or the jurisdictional court and subsequently seek regular bail..The case stems from a complaint filed by a woman named Theresa, whose son, V Vishnu Devan, was arrested in 2021 in a murder case.According to the complaint, Theresa was introduced to one, Marina Fernandes, who allegedly demanded ₹10 lakh to secure bail for her son. When the bail was not secured, Theresa sought a refund. However, the cheques issued to her allegedly went dishonoured.Theresa was subsequently introduced to another woman, Aarathi, who allegedly claimed to be a close aide of a High Court judge. Aarathi allegedly demanded ₹1.72 lakh, including ₹1 lakh purportedly intended as a bribe for the judge.Advocate Dayeena Banu, meanwhile, is alleged to have later informed Theresa that a substantial amount would have to be paid to the High Court judge to secure her son’s release.Theresa initially approached the State Bar Council, alleging that Marina Fernandes and Aarathi had cheated her. She subsequently addressed a letter dated December 18, 2024, to the Karnataka High Court, alleging that an advocate too was demanding money to bribe a judge.The High Court Registrar, thereafter, registered a complaint. Based on this, the police filed an FIR, which named Banu among the accused.Banu had earlier approached the High Court seeking quashing of the criminal case. However, the Court dismissed her plea on August 6, citing the seriousness of the allegations.
