Smt. Eslavath Lalitha, 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.3808 of 2026 DATE: 25.03.2026 Between:

Smt. Eslavath Lalitha

...Petitioner/A.4

AND The State of Telangana, Rep.by its Pubic Prosecutor, High Court for the State of Telangana.

Hyderabad Through SHO, CID, TG Hyderabad, (Through SHO, Kondamallepally Police Station, Nalgonda 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 No.4 in Crime No.169 of 2025 on the file of Kondamallepally Police Station, Nalgonda District, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 316 (2), 318(4), 316(5) of BNS and Section 5 of the Telangana Protection of Depositors of Financial Establishment Act, 1999.

2.

Heard Sri Mummaneni Srinivasa Rao, learned counsel for the petitioner-accused No.4 and Sri M.Ramachandra Reddy,

- 2 - learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondentState. 3.

The case of the prosecution is that the de facto complainant lodged a report before police on 13.10.2025, wherein it is stated that A.1 approached the complainant and requested to invest money in his business and in turn he will pay the entire amount with huge interest. Accordingly, the complainant accepted the offer of A.1 and handed over an amount of Rs.35,00,000/- to him. A.1 paid interest to some of the depositors on monthly basis, thereafter he did not deep up his promise to pay the same to the investors. Thereafter, a.1 is not available even on telephonic calls and absconding. Hence, the complainant approached the police to take necessary action against the complaint. Basing on the same, police registered a case for the aforesaid offences. 4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner-accused No.4 would submit that the petitioner is arrayed as A.4, who is mother of A.1. She is no way connected with the allegations made by the complainant. It is contended that all the allegations are against the A.1 only. According to the prosecution, A.1 purchased property in the name of A.4 i.e. Ac.2-16 guntas in the year 2019. Therefore, it is submitted that the said property cannot be treated as proceeds of crime attributable to the petitioner. Therefore there is no material on record to show any direct involvement against the petitioner, as such requested the police to take necessary action

- 3 - against the said complaint. Basing on the same, police registered a case for the aforesaid offences.

5.

On the other hand, learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the same and submits that though the said document is of the year 2019, in the year 2025 the petitioner retained the land in her name deliberately, which clearly establishes a planned attempt to layer and conceal the proceeds and custodial interrogation of the petitioner is required and hence, he prays to dismiss the petition.

6.

Considering the submissions made by learned counsel for both parties and perusal of the material on record, it appears that A.4 is mother of A.1. The allegation is A.1 purchased the property in the name of the petitioner with the crime proceeds. But, there is no direct allegation against the petitioner that she collection any amount from any of the victim. Considering the allegations against the petitioner and also gender of the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions:

(i) The petitioner-accused shall surrender before the Station House Officer, Kondamallepally Police Station, Nalgonda 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) On such release, the petitioner 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

- 4 - the filing of the 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 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 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: 25.03.2026 YVL