Siddamsetty Ramesh, 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.3104 of 2026 DATE: 12.03.2026 BETWEEN:

Siddamsetty Ramesh ... Petitioner/ Accused And The State of Telangana, represented by its Public Prosecutor, High Court at Hyderabad, (SHO Rudrur Police Station), Nizamabad District.

... Respondent

O R D E R

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of the 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.95 of 2025 of Rudrur Police Station, Nizamabad District, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 420 and 409 of I.P.C.

2.

Heard Sri K.Durga Prasad, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri M.Ramachandra Reddy, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent-State. 3.

The case of the prosecution is that the de facto complainant lodged a report before police on 08.11.2025,

wherein it is stated that on 17.03.2023, upon the report submitted by Sri G.Venu, Inspector of Post, Bodhan Sub Division, visited Anand Nagar Post Office, where the petitioner is working as GDS BPM since 07.08.1993. During the inspection it was found that the petitioner failed to maintain the cash balances as the receipts and payments of the branch post office records and noticed a cash shortage of Rs.1,38,470.50. It is further noticed that the petitioner utilized the Government money for his personal use and hence, he requested the police to take necessary action against the petitioner. Basing on the same, police registered a case against the petitioner for the aforesaid offences.

4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner/accused would submit that the petitioner is innocent of the offences alleged against him; but, due to paucity of time, the petitioner could not settle the payment in time; that after receipt of amount he remitted the entire alleged amount along with penal interest on 17.03.2023 and 20.03.2023 and the same was accepted by the Department of posts. He also submits that the FIR was registered after 2 1⁄2 years after the alleged incident. He further submits that the petitioner has not misappropriated the money, as alleged, but he deposited the amount after four days of

collection from the customers and that the petitioner is not suspended from service and he has been continued in service and hence, he prays to grant Anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5.

On the other hand, learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the same and contended that the allegations levelled against the petitioner are severe in nature and that the petitioner has misappropriated the public money and therefore, he is not entitled for grant of bail and hence, he prays to dismiss the petition.

6.

Having regard to the submissions made by both the parties and considering the material on record, it is noted that the crime was registered in the year 2025 i.e., after 2 1⁄2 after the incident. Considering the allegations made against the petitioner and that the petitioner has already deposited the alleged amount, this Court is inclined to grant Anticipatory bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions: (i) The petitioner/Accused shall surrender before the Station House Officer, Rudrur Police Station, Nizamabad District, within two (2) weeks from today, and on such surrender, the petitioner shall be released on bail on executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties for a 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., 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: 12.03.2026 YVL/BJ