A1 . Uppala Venkatesh, 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.2197 of 2026 DATE: 20.02.2026 BETWEEN:

Uppala Venkatesh and 2 others ..... Petitioners/Accused Nos. 1 to 3 And The State of Telangana, Rep. by its Public Prosecutor, High Court for the State of Telangana at Hyderabad, Through Inspector of Police/Station House Officer, Amangal Police Station, Ranga Reddy District ..... Respondent/Prosecution

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 3 in Crime No.24 of 2026 before the Amangal Police Station, Ranga Reddy District, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 191(2), 329(4), 351(2), 189(2), 324(4) and 49 read with

190 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) and Section 3(2)(va) of SCs & STs Act.

2.

The brief facts of the case are that the de facto complainant lodged a report before the police on 16.02.2026 stating that, under the directions of petitioner No.1, his supporters unlawfully assembled and, under the leadership of Tippu Sultan along with others, criminally trespassed into his clinic and medical shop and destroyed the same. They also attacked his house and clinic on account of his belonging to the Girijana (Scheduled Tribe) community. Petitioner No.1, an upper-caste leader, and his associates could not tolerate his political involvement and were unable to bear the fact that he was elected as Municipal Chairman. Therefore, they intentionally attacked his residential property. 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 G. Anil Kiran Kumar, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners, and Sri M. Ramachandra Reddy, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent-State.

4.

Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that none of the alleged offences are attracted to the petitioners and that, even according to the de-facto complainant, neither the de-facto complainant nor the petitioners were present at the scene of the offence. He further submitted that all the alleged offences are punishable with imprisonment of less than seven years. Although some of the accused were remanded to judicial custody, there is an apprehension of arrest of the petitioners. 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 Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions, contending that the allegations against the petitioners are severe in nature and attract the aforementioned offences. He submitted that the petitioners attempted to defame the de-facto complainant, who belongs to a Scheduled Tribe and that the investigation is at an initial stage and custodial interrogation of the petitioners is necessary for further investigation. Therefore, he prayed the Court to dismiss the criminal petition.

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 allegation against the petitioners is that, under the guidence of petitioner No.1, the other accused attacked the medical shop and house of the de-facto complainant. Even according to the de-facto complainant, neither the de-facto complainant nor the petitioners were present at the scene of the offence. Therefore, custodial interrogation of the petitioners does not appear to be necessary. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court deems it fit to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioners, subject to the following conditions:

i.

The petitioners shall surrender before the Station House Officer, Amangal Police Station, Ranga Reddy District 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 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., or till the filing of the charge 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: 20.02.2026 SS

THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.2197 of 2026 Date: 20.02.2026 SS