CRLP/9731/2026 of Vikram Singh Vs THE STATE OF TELANGANA on 8 July 2026

: ORDER :

This Criminal Petition is filed praying this Court to enlarge the petitioner on bail who is arrayed as accused in Crime No.1177 of 2026 of Vanasthalipuram Police station, Malkajgiri District. The offences alleged against the petitioner are under Sections 74 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and under Sections 7 r/w.8 of POCSO Act, 2012.

2. The brief facts of the case are that on 23.06.2026 at about 6:00 p.m., the complainant, who is the mother of the victim, lodged a complaint stating that on the same day, at about 2:00 p.m., her minor daughter had gone to Devi Krupa Stationery Shop at FCI Colony, Vanasthalipuram, to purchase stationery, wherein a person working at the shop, later identified as the petitioner caught hold of the victim by placing his hand on her shoulder and pulled her towards him. The victim immediately returned home and informed her parents about the incident, following which the present complaint was lodged seeking legal action against the accused. Hence, case was registered against the accused for the above offences.

3. Heard Sri U.V.Suresh Kumar, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Sri D.Arun Kumar, learned counsel appearing for the respondent.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case with an ulterior motive to extract money by way of compromise. He contended that the allegations made in the complaint are false and the CCTV footage installed in the stationery shop, which allegedly does not support the prosecution version and shows that no such incident took place. It is further submitted that the petitioner came to know that the de facto complainant had earlier lodged similar complaints against other persons and extracted money from them. The petitioner is a native of Rajasthan and has been working as a salesman in the stationery shop at Self-Finance Colony, Vanasthalipuram, for the past 17 years without any criminal antecedents. He also contended that all the offences alleged against the petitioner are punishable with imprisonment of less than seven years and, therefore, the police ought to have followed the procedure prescribed under Section 35(3) of the BNSS and the guidelines laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar1 before affecting his arrest. The petitioner is in jail from 24.06.2026. Hence, prayed this Court to grant bail to the petitioner.

5. On the other hand, learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed bail contending that the allegation against the petitioner are serious in nature, as such, he is not entitled to bail and prayed to dismiss this petition.

6. Having considered the submissions made by both sides and the material available on record, this Court observes that the allegations against the petitioner are matters to be 1 (2014) 8 SCC 273

established during the course of investigation and trial. The petitioner has been in judicial custody since 24.06.2026, and the offences alleged are punishable with imprisonment of less than seven years. Considering the facts and circumstances and the nature of allegations, 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 VII- Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Cyberabad.

ii. The petitioner shall appear before the concerned SHO between 09.00 a.m and 5.00 p.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 petitioner shall abide by the conditions stipulated in Section 483(2) of the BNSS.

7. Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is allowed. Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending shall stand closed. _______________ K. SUJANA, J Date : 08.07.2026 Rds

THE HON’BLE SMT. JUSTICE K. SUJANA

CRIMINAL PETITION No.9731 OF 2026

DATE :08.07.2026

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