CRLP/9733/2026 of Gotiga Raj Kumar @ Raju Vs State of Telangana Through SHO, Attapur PS, Hyderabad on 9 July 2026

: ORDER :

This criminal petition is filed praying this Court to enlarge the petitioner on bail who is arrayed as accused No.1 in Crime No.570 of 2026 before the Attapur Police Station, Hyderabad, registered for the offence punishable under Sections 77, 78, 79, 352, 351(2), 329(4) of BNS, Section 11 r/w 12 of POCSO Act.

2. Brief facts of the case are that the de facto complainant lodged a complaint stating that the petitioner/accused No.1, who is acquainted with her family, had taken photographs of her minor daughter aged 14 years during a saree function. Thereafter, he allegedly stalked her, forced her to talk and chat with him, and threatened to morph her photographs into obscene images and upload them on social media. Despite being counseled in the presence of elders, his conduct allegedly continued. On 06.05.2026 at about 16:30 hours, the petitioner along with his relatives allegedly trespassed into the complainant’s house, abused the family members in filthy language, and attempted to assault them. Based on the said complaint, the present crime was registered.

3. Heard Sri Abhilash Sontake, learned counsel for petitioner, and Sri D.Arun Kumar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent-State.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and has been falsely implicated in the present crime without proper investigation. It was contended that the petitioner is the sole breadwinner of his family, and is willing to cooperate with the investigation. He further submitted that the investigation has been completed and remand report filed, hence there is no apprehension of absconding or tampering with evidence. The petitioner is ready to furnish sureties and abide by any conditions imposed by this Court. Hence, prayed this Court to grant bail to the petitioner.

5. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions and contended that the allegations are grave in nature, involving a minor girl aged 14 years. It was submitted that the offences under the POCSO Act are serious and carry stringent punishment, and the conduct of the petitioner shows a continuing threat to the victim. It was further argued that the lower court had already dismissed the bail application on the ground that the offences are grave and against a minor, and that releasing the petitioner at this stage would adversely affect the victim and the course of justice. As such, petitioner is not entitled for bail and prayed to dismiss this petition.

6. In the light of the submissions made by both the learned counsel and a perusal of the material available on record, it appears that the petitioner is in jail since 23.05.2026. It is noticed that LWs.1 to 12 are already examined and material part of the investigation is completed. Therefore, this Court deems it fit to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions:

i. The petitioner shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the Special Sesions Judge for Trial and Disposal of Cases under POCSO Act, Rangareddy District, at LB.Nagar. ii. The petitioner shall appear before the concerned SHO at 11:00 a.m., on every Monday for a period of eight (8) week or till filing of charge sheet, whichever is earlier, for the purpose of investigation, and thereafter, as and when required. iii. The petitioner 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: 09.07.2026 PT

THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA

CRIMINAL PETITION No.9733 of 2026

Date: 09.07.2026 PT