CRLP/8698/2026 of Pallam Raghavendra Vs The State of Andhra Pradesh on 13 October 2026

ORDER:

Criminal Petition has been filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for brevity ‘the BNSS’) by the Petitioners/Accused Nos.3 to 5, 14 to 16 for granting of pre-arrest bail in connection with Crime No.113 of 2025, dated 10.10.2025 of Satyavedu Police Station, Tirupathi District, was registered for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 120-B, 420, 466 and 467 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for brevity, ‘the I.P.C’).

2. Mr. D.Purna Chandra Reddy, the learned counsel for the Petitioners, contends that the Petitioners are innocent of the alleged offences and have been falsely implicated by the police. It is further submitted that the Petitioners are the sole earning members of their respective families and, therefore, their arrest would cause undue hardship to their dependents. The Petitioners undertake to strictly adhere to any conditions that may be imposed by this Court while granting pre-arrest bail. Hence, it is urged to allow the Criminal Petition.

3. Per contra, Mr. A. Sai Rohith, the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor, vehemently opposed the grant of pre-arrest bail to the Petitioners, submitting that the investigation is still underway and several material witnesses remain to be examined. It is contended that if the Petitioners are granted pre-arrest bail, there is a strong likelihood that they may abscond, thereby hampering the ongoing investigation and evading the process of law. Hence, it is urged to dismiss the Criminal Petition.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the Petitioners and the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor. Perused the record.

5. On perusal of the record, there was a delay of more than one year in lodging the complaint from the date of the alleged offence. All the Petitioners are Government servants. A learned coordinate Bench of this Court, in

Crl.P.No.12729 of 2025, granted interim protection to all the Petitioners on 09.12.2025; however, the said interim protection was not extended thereafter. Subsequently, this Court, in Crl.P.No.6716 of 2026, vide order dated 12.08.2026, granted pre-arrest bail to Accused No.7. The Petitioners are standing on a similar footing to Accused No.7.

6. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, the gravity and nature of the allegations levelled against the Petitioners/Accused Nos.3 to 5, 14 to 16, this Court is inclined to enlarge the Petitioners on pre-arrest bail with some stringent conditions.

7. In the result, the Criminal Petition is allowed with the following conditions:

i. In the event of their arrest, the Petitioners/Accused Nos.3 to 5, 14 to 16 shall be enlarged on bail subject to their executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) each with two sureties each for the like sum each to the satisfaction of the arresting police officials;

ii. The Petitioners/Accused Nos.3 to 5, 14 to 16 shall make themselves available for investigation as and when required;

iii. The Petitioners/Accused Nos.3 to 5, 14 to 16 shall not cause any threat, inducement or promise to the prosecution witnesses.

iv. The Petitioners/Accused Nos.3 to 5, 14 to 16 shall appear before the Station House Officer concerned once in a week i.e., on every Saturday between 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., till filing of the Charge Sheet. v. The Petitioners/Accused Nos.3 to 5, 14 to 16 shall not leave the limits of the State of Andhra Pradesh without the express permission from the Station House Officer concerned.

vi. The Petitioners/Accused Nos.3 to 5, 14 to 16 shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him/her from disclosing such facts to the Court.

vii. The Petitioners/Accused Nos.3 to 5 and 14 to 16 shall surrender their passports, if any, to the Investigating Officer. If they claim that they do not have passports, they shall submit affidavits to that effect to the Investigating Officer.

_________________________ DR. Y. LAKSHMANA RAO, J Date: 14.10.2026 PRA

THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE Y. LAKSHMANA RAO

CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 8698 of 2026

Date: 14.10.2026

PRA