Andhra Pradesh High Court
CRLP/3419/2026 of Irugu Praveen Vs The State of Andhra Pradesh on 3 May 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH (Special Original Jurisdiction) MONDAY, THE FOURTH DAY OF MAY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION NO: Between: 1. IRUGU PRAVEEN, S/O. SAMUEL, AGED ABOUT 26 YEARS.NATIVE OF POCHAMPALLI
APHC010223372026
IN THE H
(
MONDA
TWO T
THE HONOURABLE DR
CRIMIN
Between:
1. IRUGU PRAVEEN, S/
OF POCHAMPALLI
RESIDING AT D.NO
NAGAR,PAYAKAPUR
1. THE STATE OF A
PROSECUTOR,HIGH
AMARAVATI.
2. VICTIM
GIRL,
CHINABABU,CURREN
THE GOVERNMENT -
Petition under Section
praying that in the circums
Criminal Petition, the High
bail in SC.SPL.22/2026 on
of offences under prote
Vijayawada, Krishna Distric
Counsel for the Petitioner
1.VENKATA SIVA NAGA
HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH
AT AMARAVATI
(Special Original Jurisdiction)
AY,THE FOURTH DAY OF MAY
THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX
PRESENT
R JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PR
NAL PETITION NO: 3419/2026
/O. SAMUEL, AGED ABOUT 26 YEAR
VILLAGE. NEAR CHILLAKALLUCU
O.77-53-1/21,AVS REDDY ROAD, P
RAM, VIJAYAWADA
...PETITIONER/A
AND
ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS
H
COURT
OF
ANDHRA
PRA
REPRESENTED
BY
HER
NTLY, SHE IS IN THE CARE AND CUS
- CHILDCARE INSTITUTION/CCI VIJAY
...RESPONDENT/COMPLA
n 437/438/439/482 of Cr.P.C and 528
stances stated in the Memorandum of G
Courtpleased to release the petitioner/A
n the file of Court for Special Judge for s ection of children from sexual offe ct and pass r/accused:
ARAJ BONKURI
RATAPA
RS.NATIVE
RRENTLY
PRAKASH
ACCUSED
S PUBLIC
ADESH,AT
FATHER
STODY OF
YAWADA.
INANT(S):
8 of BNSS
Grounds of
Accused on
speedy trial
ences Act,
Counsel for the Respondent/complainant(S):
1.PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
The Court made the following:
THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA
CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 3419/2026
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ORDER:
This Criminal Petition, under Sections 480 and 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, has been filed by the petitioner/Accused, seeking regular bail, in SC.SPL.No.22 of 2026 on the file of learned Special Judge for Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, Vijayawada.
2. Heard the submissions of Sri B.V.S. Nagaraj, learned counsel for the petitioner/accused, and Mrs. K. Priyanka Lakshmi, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent/State. Perused the material available on record.
3. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the victim girl, a minor studying 7th class, lost her parents in an accident about six years ago and since she has been residing with her aunt and the petitioner/accused, who is her uncle. On 29.09.2025, when the victim was taken to a hospital due to weakness, on medical examination revealed that she was approximately four months pregnant. Upon enquiry, the victim disclosed that the accused had subjected her to sexual assault on two occasions—once prior to the Ugadi festival in 2025 and again in the month of May 2025. It is further alleged that the accused threatened the victim not to disclose the incidents to anyone. Based on the said complaint, a case was registered in Crime No. 404 of 2025 of Nunna Police Station.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner/accused submits that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated due to family and financial disputes between him, his wife, and the relatives of the victim. It is contended that the petitioner has been taking care of the victim since the death of her parents and has never indulged in any illegal act. It is further submitted that all material witnesses have already been examined, the petitioner has no criminal antecedents, and he is the sole breadwinner of his family. Hence, it is prayed that the petitioner may be enlarged on bail.
5. Per contra, the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor opposed the bail application, contending that the allegations against the petitioner are grave and heinous in nature, involving repeated sexual assault on a minor girl, resulting in pregnancy. It is further submitted that if the petitioner is released on bail, there is every likelihood of him influencing or threatening the victim.
6. Considering the submissions and perused the material available on record placed before this Court, it is not in dispute that the investigation in this case has been completed and a charge-sheet has been filed on 05.01.2026. However, the nature of allegations against the petitioner is extremely serious. The victim is a minor girl, and the allegations disclose repeated sexual assault by a person in a position of trust and authority. The medical evidence indicating pregnancy of the minor prima facie lends support to the prosecution case. Further, the relationship between the accused and the victim, coupled with the absence of the victim’s parents, places the victim in a particularly vulnerable position. In such circumstances, the possibility of the accused influencing or intimidating the victim cannot be ruled out if he is released on bail.
7. While the completion of investigation and filing of charge-sheet are relevant considerations, they do not entitle the petitioner to release on bail in cases involving grave offences, particularly under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. This Court is of the considered opinion that this is not a fit case to grant bail to the petitioner/accused.
8. In the result, this criminal petition is dismissed.
_________________________________________ DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA 04.05.2026 KKV
THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA
CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 3419/2026 Dated 04.05.2026
KKV