CRLP/17534/2025 of B. Anand Kumar Vs The State of Telangana, through S.H.O., Lungerhouse Police Station, Hyderabad. on 31 December 2025

ORDER

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) for grant of pre-arrest bail to the petitioner, who is arrayed as accused in Crime No.152 of 2025 before the Langer House

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Police Station, Hyderabad, registered for the offences punishable under Section 316(5) and 318(1) of BNS.

2. The brief facts of the case are that on 22.07.2025 at about 12:20 hours, a complaint was received from Y. Srinivas Naik, Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices. He reported that the Sub-Postmaster of Lungerhouse Sub-Post Office had retained excess cash between 13.06.2025 and 05.07.2025 without submitting Excess Cash Balance memos. Pursuant to departmental directions, an enquiry was conducted on 09.07.2025, during which a shortage of cash of Rs.6,17,584/- was found against the actual balance of Rs.9,09,135.91. The Sub-Postmaster, Sri B. Anand Kumar, admitted the shortage and stated that he would make good the amount. As he was found to have misappropriated Government money, a report was submitted to the authorities, and basing on the said complaint, the present crime was registered.

3. Heard Sri P.V. Krishnaiah, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner as well as Sri D. Arun Kumar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent – State.

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4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that though there was a shortage of cash, the petitioner had already deposited the said amount, and there was no intention on his part to cheat the Government. He contended that the petitioner is innocent of the allegations leveled against him, as the alleged amount has already been deposited, and that the petitioner is ready to cooperate with the investigating agency. Therefore, he prayed the Court to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioner by allowing this Criminal Petition.

5. On the other hand, learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions made on behalf of the petitioner, stating that the allegations levelled against the petitioner are serious in nature. He further submitted that, as per the information available with him, the petitioner has already deposited the alleged amount. Therefore, he prayed the Court to dismiss the Criminal Petition.

6. In the light of the submissions made by both learned counsel and upon perusal of the material available on record, it appears that the main allegation against the petitioner is

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that he misappropriated Government funds and that there was a shortage of cash. According to the learned Additional Public Prosecutor, the petitioner has already deposited the said amount. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court deems it fit to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions: i. The petitioner shall surrender before the Station House Officer, Lunger House Police Station, Hyderabad, within two weeks from today, and on such surrender, the said Station House Officer shall release him on bail on executing a personal bond for Rs.25,000/-, each, with two sureties, for the like sum each. ii. The petitioner shall abide by the other conditions stipulated in Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and co-operate with the Investigating Officer in investigating the case. iii. The petitioner shall appear before the concerned Investigating Officer on every Monday between 09:00 a.m, and 05:00 p.m., for a period of eight (8) weeks or till the filing of the charge

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sheet, whichever is earlier and thereafter, as and when required.

7. Accordingly, this Criminal Petition is allowed.

Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed. _______________ K. SUJANA, J

Date: 31.12.2025 SAI

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THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA

CRIMINAL PETITION No.17534 of 2025 ` Date: 31.12.2025 SAI