M. Nikhil Ashok, 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.3857 OF 2026 DATE : 07.04.2026 Between:

M. Nikhil Ashok ....Petitioner/Accused AND The State of Telangana, Rep., by its Public Prosecutor, High Court at Hyderabad.

..... Respondent : ORDER :

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 seeking the Court to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the event of his arrest in connection with Crime No.443 of 2026 of Gachibowli Police Station, Cyberabad District. The offences alleged against the petitioner are under Section 69 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNS').

2.

The brief facts of the case are that the defacto complainant lodged a complaint on 09.03.2026 alleging that on

20.02.2026, at about midnight, she came into contact with the petitioner through a dating application named Bumble, where the petitioner introduced himself as "Nikhil Ashok" and stated in his profile that he was interested in marriage and not a casual relationship. Believing the same, and as she was also looking for a serious relationship, they met the next day, visited a temple together, and gradually developed closeness. The petitioner began accompanying her to various places, showing affection and care, and expressed interest in marrying her. On 23.02.2026, they had a physical relationship and continued to meet thereafter;

however, subsequently, the petitioner's behaviour changed, and he refused to marry her, stating that he would marry as per his family wishes and discontinued contact. The complainant alleged that she was emotionally distressed, and further the petitioner had asked for her nude photographs, manipulated and emotionally blackmailed her, causing fear that he might harm her. Based on the said complaint, the Police registered the case against the accused for the above offence. 3.

Heard Sri G.Madhusudhan Reddy, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Sri M.Ramachandra Reddy,

learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent - State.

4.

The contention of learned counsel for the petitioner is that petitioner is a software engineer working at Gachibowli, came into contact with the defacto complainant through the dating application Bumble on 21.02.2026, and after initial conversations, both met and visited several places together, continued to meet casually for few days. He further contended that the defacto complainant herself admitted in her complaint that she had a consensual physical relationship with the petitioner, and there is no allegation that such relationship was under threat or coercion; therefore, the essential ingredients of the offence under Section 69 of the BNS Act are not attracted.

The learned counsel further submits that the defacto complainant began demanding the petitioner to meet her at her convenience, which was not always possible due to his office work, leading to disputes between them, and that she allegedly threatened the petitioner to marry her, failing which she would file a false complaint. Learned counsel further contended that the complainant demanded an amount of Rs.

complaint with false allegations. The petitioner is innocent, has been falsely implicated, and that the complaint has been filed only to harass and extort money from him. Hence, prayed this Court to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5.

On the other hand, learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed bail contending that the offence committed by the petitioner is a serious and heinous offence. Hence, petitioner is not entitled to bail and prayed to dismiss this petition. 6.

Considering the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and on perusal of the material available on record, the allegation against the petitioner is that he induced the defacto complainant under the promise of marriage and had physical relationship with her and thereafter refused to marry her and also threatened her. The defacto complainant physically appeared before this Court and submitted that if petitioner is granted anticipatory bail, there is threat to her. Considering the allegations against the petitioner and also the submissions of the defacto complainant, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions :

i.

The petitioner shall surrender before the Station House Officer, Gachibowli Police

Station, Cyberabad District within two weeks from today, and on such surrender, the said Station House Officer shall release the petitioner on bail on his executing a personal bond for Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty 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 Monday 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.

iv.

The petitioner is directed not to contact or communicate the defacto complainant in any way or intimidate her. In the event of violation of any of the conditions imposed by this Court, it is open to the defacto complainant or the prosecution to seek cancellation of bail.

7.

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

_______________ K. SUJANA, J Date: 07.04.2026 Rds

THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.3857 OF 2026 DATE : 07.04.2026 Rds