CRLP/9996/2026 of Mr.ArrollaVenkataramana, Vs THE STATE OF TELANGANA on 13 July 2026

ORDER

This Criminal Petition is filed praying this Court to enlarge the petitioners on bail who are arrayed as accused Nos.1 & 2 in Crime No.293 of 2026 registered for the offence punishable under Sections 308(5), 336(3), 318(4) r/w 3(5) of BNS and 3(5)(b) of Telangana Money Lending Act, and Sections 3(1)®, 3(2)(v) of SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

2. The brief facts of the case are that the de facto complainant, who belongs to Scheduled Tribe community and is working as a Government Teacher, lodged a report on 20.06.2026 alleging that, due to financial necessity, he borrowed an amount of Rs.2,00,000/- from accused No.1. At the time of lending the amount, accused No.1 allegedly obtained one bond paper, five signed cheques and a promissory note as security. It is alleged that the complainant repaid the amount by paying Rs.20,000/- per month for twelve months, but despite such payments, accused No.1 demanded an amount of Rs.4,00,000/- towards the said loan and threatened to misuse the signed cheques, promissory note and bond papers in his possession. It is further alleged that, out of fear, the complainant paid an additional amount of Rs.2,00,000/- towards interest. The complainant also alleged that accused No.1 had similarly lent money to several other persons belonging to Scheduled Tribe community and collected exorbitant interest from them. It is further alleged that accused Nos.1 and 2 abused the complainant by intentionally referring to his caste in a derogatory manner and threatened him with dire consequences when he expressed his inability to make further payment. Based on the said complaint, the present crime came to be registered against the petitioners.

3. Heard Sri N.Avaneesh, learned counsel for petitioners, and Sri D.Arun Kumar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, appearing for respondent No.1 – State.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent and have been falsely implicated in the present case. He submitted that accused No.1 had only extended financial assistance to the complainant and some of his acquaintances out of goodwill and acquaintance, without carrying on any money lending business or charging any interest. The complainant and others voluntarily handed over blank signed cheques and promissory notes as security at the time of borrowing the amounts. It is submitted that when the petitioners demanded repayment of the amounts due, the complainant and other borrowers, with an intention to evade repayment, threatened to implicate the petitioners in false cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and thereafter lodged the present complaint. Learned counsel further contended that the allegations are highly exaggerated and disclose, at best, a dispute arising out of a financial transaction, which has been given a criminal colour. He further submitted that the petitioners are father and son, permanent residents of Ichoda, have no criminal antecedents, have been in judicial custody since 21.06.2026, and their further custodial detention is not necessary for the purpose of investigation. They are ready to cooperate with the investigation and abide by any conditions imposed by this Court. Therefore, he prayed to enlarge the petitioners on bail.

5. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for respondent – State, opposed the submissions made by learned counsel for the petitioners and contended that the allegations against the petitioners are serious in nature. The investigation prima facie discloses that accused No.1 collected exorbitant amounts from the complainant and other persons by illegally carrying on money lending activities and, along with accused No.2, intentionally abused the complainant by referring to his caste and criminally intimidated him. The investigation is still in progress and the statements of material witnesses are yet to be completed. In the event of release on bail, there is every likelihood of the petitioners influencing or threatening the complainant and other witnesses, besides hampering the investigation. Therefore, he prayed for dismissal of the petition.

6. Having regard to the rival submissions made, and on perusing the material placed on record, it is noted that the petitioners are in judicial custody from 21.06.2026. The allegations primarily arise out of a monetary transaction between the parties. The investigation has substantially progressed and the continued custodial interrogation of the petitioners does not appear to be necessary. The petitioners are permanent residents of Ichoda, Adilabad District. The apprehension of the prosecution that the petitioners may interfere with the investigation or influence the witnesses can be adequately addressed by imposing stringent conditions. Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is of the view that further detention of the petitioners is not warranted. Therefore, this Court is of the opinion that it is a fit case to grant bail to the petitioners, subject to the compliance of following stringent conditions:

i. The petitioners shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/-, each, (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the Judicial first Class Magistrate, at Boath.

ii. The petitioners shall appear before the concerned SHO at 11:00 a.m. on every Monday for a period of eight (8) weeks or till filing of charge sheet, whichever is earlier, for the purpose of investigation, and thereafter, as and when required.

iii. The petitioners shall abide by the conditions stipulated in Section 437(3) of Cr.P.C. (presently Section 480(3) of the BNSS).

7. Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is allowed.

Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed. _______________ K. SUJANA, J Date: 13.07.2026 PT

THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA

CRIMINAL PETITION No.9996 of 2026

Date: 13.07.2026 PT