CRLP/11184/2026 of Belli Saidulu Vs The State of Telangana on 24 July 2026

ORDER:

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, “BNSS”), seeking the relief of anticipatory bail.

2. The petitioners are arrayed as accused Nos.1 to 4 in FIR No.170 of 2026 of Chityal Police Station, Nalgonda District, registered for the offences punishable under Section 109 read with section 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitha, 2023 (for short “BNS”) and Section 3(2)(v) of The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (for short, “SC/ST Act”).

3. Heard Mr.Sanjeeva Reddy Garlapati, learned counsel for the petitioners, Mr. Syed Yasar Mamoon, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor representing the respondent-State.

4. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 14.06.2026, a birthday celebration was organized by one of the victims, who is the husband of the de facto complainant, at a farmhouse situated on the outskirts of Gadireddypally Village. At about 11:30 p.m., the owner of the farmhouse, having come to know of the disturbance caused at the premises, asked the husband of the de facto complainant and others to vacate the farmhouse. It is alleged that the petitioners abused him in filthy language and assaulted him with sticks, thereby attempting to kill him and causing grievous injuries. Based on the report lodged, the present crime came to be registered.

5. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the allegations levelled against the petitioners are false and have been fabricated solely for the purpose of foisting the present case. It is further submitted that the petitioners had earlier lodged a complaint, which was registered as Crime No. 169 of 2026, wherein the victim in the present case was also arrayed as an accused. Learned counsel further submits that, after registration of the said crime, the parties entered into an amicable settlement and even made attempted to withdraw both the case and the counter-case. Nevertheless, the petitioners are ready and willing to cooperate with the investigation, have permanent places of residence, and undertake to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, it is prayed that anticipatory bail be granted.

6. Learned Public Prosecutor, on the other hand, opposes the bail petition and submits that the victim sustained injuries and that the investigation is still in progress. It is further submitted that, in view of the existence of a case and counter-case, custodial interrogation of the petitioners may be necessary for an effective investigation. Accordingly, it is prayed that the bail petition be dismissed.

7. I have considered the rival submissions and carefully perused the material available on record.

8. As per the prosecution, the petitioners assaulted the victim with sticks with the intention of causing his death, thereby inflicting severe injuries. However, the medical report placed on record by the petitioners indicates that the victim sustained only one laceration injury, which is simple in nature.

9. In Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre v. State of Maharashtra, (2011) 1 SCC 694, the Hon'ble Supreme Court held that the power to grant anticipatory bail is a vital safeguard of personal liberty and that arrest should not be resorted to merely because it is lawful to do so. The Court emphasized that the necessity for custodial interrogation must be assessed on the facts and circumstances of each case and that deprivation of personal liberty must be justified by compelling reasons. Likewise, in Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar, (2014) 8 SCC 273, the Hon'ble Supreme Court reiterated that arrest should not be made as a matter of course and that the Investigating Agency must demonstrate that such arrest is necessary for one or more of the purposes contemplated under the law.

10. Having regard to the settled legal position, the facts and circumstances of the case, the allegations made in the complaint, the nature of the injury sustained by the victim, and the willingness expressed by the petitioners to cooperate with the investigation, and in the absence of any compelling necessity for custodial interrogation, this Court is of the considered view that it is a fit case to extend the discretionary relief of anticipatory bail to the petitioners, subject to such conditions as may be imposed to secure their availability during the course of the investigation and to safeguard the interests of the prosecution.

11. Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is allowed. The petitioners shall be enlarged on anticipatory bail, subject to the following conditions: (A). The petitioners/Accused Nos.1 to 4 shall surrender before the Station House Officer, Chityal Police Station, Nalgonda District, on or before 07.08.2026. Upon such surrender or in the event of arrest the Station House Officer shall release the petitioners on bail on execution of a personal bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-Five Thousand only) each with two sureties for a like sum each, to the satisfaction of the said Officer. (B) The petitioners shall appear before the Station House Officer on every Saturday between 10.00 a.m. to 03.00 p.m. for a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of their release on bail or till filing of the final result, whichever is earlier. (C) The petitioners shall remain available for interrogation as and when required during the course of investigation and shall extend full cooperation to the investigation.

(D) The petitioners shall furnish their complete residential address, mobile number and other contact particulars to the Investigating Officer and shall promptly intimate any change therein. (E) The petitioners shall not directly or indirectly induce, threaten, influence, or promise any person acquainted with the facts of the case, nor shall they tamper with prosecution evidence in any manner whatsoever.

12. It is made clear that any observations made herein are confined solely to the adjudication of the present application for anticipatory bail and shall not be construed as an expression on the merits of the case. Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed.

__________________ N.TUKARAMJI, J Date: 24.07.2026 mmr

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE N.TUKARAMJI

CRIMINAL PETITION No.11184 OF 2026

DATE : 24.07.2026

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