Mohinth @ Chowkatmohit, v. State Of Telangana,
IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA
AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.3852 of 2026 30.03.2026 Between:
Mohinth @ Chowkat Mohit, And others.
PETITIONERS AND The State of Telangana, Rep by Public Prosecutor, High Court for the State of Telangana, at Hyderabad.
RESPONDENT
ORDER
This Criminal Petition is filed before this Court for grant of pre-arrest bail to the petitioners who are arrayed as accused Nos.4 to 6, 7, 9, 21, 22, 27 and 28 in Crime No.12 of 2026 before the Kamatipura Police Station, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 324(2), 329(4), 132, 298 r/w 3(5) of BNS, Section 3 of PDPP Act.
2.
Brief facts of the case are that on 14.01.2026 at about 22:30 hours, one unknown person allegedly entered the temple premises at Puranapool Darwaza, Hyderabad, and damaged idols and photos. Following the incident, a large mob gathered, which further damaged the chilla situated beside the temple and pelted stones, resulting in injuries to police personnel and members of the public, as well as damage to vehicles including police vehicles.
3.
Heard Sri G. Bhaskaer Reddy, learned counsel for petitioner, and Sri Ramachandra Reddy, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondentState. 4.
Learned counsel for the Petitioners submitted that the Petitioners are innocent and have been falsely implicated in the present case. It was argued that the police registered the crime mechanically without preliminary enquiry, only to appease certain community members and political bosses. The Petitioners were merely present in the locality and had no role in the alleged offences. They are law-abiding citizens, permanent residents, and sole breadwinners for their families.
Therefore, prayed the Court to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioners by allowing this Criminal Petition. 5.
Learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions and contended that the allegations against the Petitioners are serious in nature, involving mob violence, damage to religious property, injuries to police personnel, and destruction of public and private property. It was argued that the Petitioners were part of the mob which indulged in vandalism and stone-pelting, and their release on bail at this stage would adversely affect the investigation and law and order situation. Therefore, prayed the Court to dismiss the criminal petition.
6.
Having regard to rival submissions made, and on going through the material placed on record, it is noted that the allegations against the petitioners pertain to serious offences involving mob violence, damage to religious property, injuries to police personnel, and destruction of public and private property. However, considering the circumstances of the case in entirety, and keeping in view that the petitioners are permanent residents and have expressed willingness to
cooperate with the investigation, this Court deems it fit to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioners subject to conditions: i.
The petitioners shall surrender before the Station House Officer, Kamatipura Police Station, Hyderabad 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 Monday between 09:00 a.m, and 05:00 p.m., for a period of eight weeks
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 : 30.03.2026 PT
THE HON'BLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.3852 OF 2026 DATE :30.03.2026 PT