Varala Praveen Kumar v. State Of Telangana

IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA

AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.3608 of 2026 DATE: 18.03.2026 BETWEEN:

Varala Praveen Kumar ..... Petitioner/Accused And The State of Telangana, Rep. by its Public Prosecutor, High Court for the State of Telangana Hyderabad.

..... Respondent

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 petitioner, who are arrayed as accused in Crime No.1388 of 2025 before the Petbasheerabad Police Station, Cyberabad Commissionerate, registered for the offence punishable under Section 316(5) of BNS.

2.

The brief facts of the case are that, on 29.08.2025, the defacto complainant lodged a report before the Police stating that on 05.03.2025, a customer of the bank approached the bank and submitted a complaint that an amount of Rs.1,24,530/-, which

had been deposited through several transactions, was not credited to their account. It was further stated that on the dates of the said deposits, the teller counter of the bank was being handled by the petitioner. Upon enquiry by the complainant, the said petitioner admitted that he had utilized the said amount for his personal use due to financial difficulties, in as many as 27 instances. Subsequently, on 10.03.2025, he deposited the sum of Rs.1,24,530/- into the Sundry Deposits Account and thereafter, the bank credited the same to the customer's account It was further stated that the said the petitioner, while working as a teller, had misappropriated cash for his personal use. Hence, the complainant requested that necessary action be taken against him. Based on the said complaint, the police registered an FIR for the aforesaid offence.

3.

Heard Sri S. Chakrapani, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, and Sri M. Ramachander Reddy, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent-State.

4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent of the allegations and that although the

petitioner had misappropriated the amount, the same was subsequently redeposited into the bank. He further submitted that the petitioner has been suffering from various health issues. On these grounds, he requested the Court to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioner.

5.

On the other hand, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions, contending that the allegations against the petitioner are serious and grave in nature, and that the petitioner, being an employee of the said bank, had misappropriated the amount, and since the investigation is still in progress, grant of pre-arrest bail at this stage is not warranted. Hence, he prayed for dismissal of the petition. 6.

In light of the submissions made by both sides and upon perusal of the material available on record, it appears that the petitioner has already redeposited the misappropriated amount and has been placed under suspension from service. Considering these aspects, this Court deems it appropriate to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions: i.

The petitioner shall surrender before the Station House Officer, Petbasheerabad Police Station, Cyberabad Commissionerate within two weeks from today, and on such surrender, the said Station House Officer

shall release the petitioner on bail on their executing a personal bond for Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twently Five Thousand only) with two sureties, for the like sum each.

ii.

The petitioner shall appear before the concerned SHO between 09.00 a.m. and 05.00 p.m., on every Wednesday for a period of eight (8) weeks, for the purpose of investigation or till filing of charge sheet whichever is earlier and thereafter, as and when required.

iii.

The petitioner shall abide by the other conditions stipulated in Section 482 (2) of BNSS and co-operate with the Investigating Officer in investigating the case.

7.

Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is allowed. Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed.

_______________ K. SUJANA, J Date: 18.03.2026 SS

THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.3608 of 2026 Date: 18.03.2026 SS