Vinodha Patthireddy v. The State Of Telangana
IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA
AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.1768 of 2026 DATE: 23.02.2026 BETWEEN:
Vinodha Patthireddy and 3 others ..... Petitioners/ Accused Nos.1 to 4 And The State, Rep. by its Public Prosecutor, High Court, Through SHO, P.S. Laxamnchanda Nirmal District and another ..... Respondents
ORDER
This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNSS') for grant of prearrest bail to the petitioners, who are arrayed as accused Nos.1 to 4 in Crime No.182 of 2025 before the Laxmanchanda Police Station, Nirmal District, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 296, 118(1), 351(2) read with 3(5) of Bharatiya
Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) and Section 3(i)(s)(r) of SC & ST POA Act.
2.
The brief facts of the case are that the de facto complainant lodged a report before the police on 26.12.2025 stating that, while she was present at her house, accused Nos.1 to 4, who are her covillagers, along with some other persons, came to her house and without any provocation or enquiry, they abused her in filthy language on the suspicion that she had spoken against one Pathireddy Vinoda during the Sarpanch elections and that Pathireddy Vinoda and her daughter Minnamma beat the complainant on her back with chappals. The accused persons, allegedly threatened the complainant with dire consequences, including threats to kill her. Hence, requested the police to take necessary action. Based on this report, the police registered a case against the accused for the alleged offences. 3.
Heard Sri Vinod Kumar Deshpande, learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of Sri Md. Kaleem Pasha learned counsel on record for the petitioners, and Sri Palle Nageshwar Rao, learned Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent No.1State.
4.
Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent of the allegations levelled against them and that the present case has been foisted due to political rivalry between the parties. He further submitted that no other criminal cases are pending against the petitioners and that they are ready and willing to cooperate with the Investigating Officer and that the contents of the complaint do not attract the offences punishable under the SC & ST (POA) Act. Hence, he prayed the Court to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioners by allowing this Criminal Petition. 5.
On the other hand, the learned Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions, contending that the allegations against the petitioners are grave in nature and attract the aforesaid offences. He further submitted that the investigation is at an initial stage and that custodial interrogation of the petitioners is necessary for further investigation. Therefore, he prayed for dismissal of the Criminal Petition. Alternatively, he requested that in the event of grant of bail, the petitioners may be directed not to enter Laxmanchanda Village, Nirmal District, until filing of the charge sheet.
6.
In light of the submissions made by both learned counsel and upon perusal of the material available on record, it is evident
that the petitioners are arrayed as accused Nos.1 to 4. The alleged offences are under Sections 296, 118(1), and 351(2) read with Section 3(5) of BNS, and Section 3(1)(r)(s) of the SC & ST (POA) Act. All the alleged offences are punishable with imprisonment for a term less than seven years. The Investigating Officer has not issued any notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, stating that the offences are grave in nature. Moreover, the allegations in the complaint do not disclose the essential ingredients required to attract the offence under the SC & ST (POA) Act. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court deems it appropriate to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioners, subject to the following conditions: i.
The petitioners shall surrender before the Assistant Superintended of Police, Nirmal District within two weeks from today, and on such surrender, the said Station House Officer shall release them on bail on executing a personal bond for Rs.25,000/- each with two sureties, for the like sum each.
ii.
The petitioners 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 petitioners shall appear before the concerned Investigating Officer on every
Wednesday between 09:00 a.m, and 05:00 p.m. 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.
iv.
The petitioners shall not enter Laxmanchanda Village, Nirmal District, until filing of the charge sheet.
7.
Accordingly, this Criminal Petition is allowed. Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed.
_______________ K. SUJANA, J Date: 23.02.2026 SS
THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.1768 of 2026 Date: 23.02.2026 SS