Muluguri Alias Moluguri Raju 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.4737 of 2026 DATE: 07.04.2026 BETWEEN:

Muluguri @ Moluguri Raju ..... Petitioner/Sole Accused And The State of Telangana, Represented through its Public Prosecutor, High Court for the State of Telangana, Hyderabad.

..... Respondent/Complainant

ORDER

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of 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.38 of 2026 before the Ramadugu Police Station, Karimnagar District. The offence alleged in the said crime is punishable under Section 108 of BNS.

2.

The brief facts of the case are that, the de-facto complainant lodged a report before the Police on 04.03.2026 stating that his younger son, became upset after being denied permission to play cricket and expressed suicidal thoughts. On 03.03.2026, the village Sarpanch, who enquired about an incident that had occurred on 02.03.2026. During the discussion, the deceased suggested to his elder brother that they should leave. At that moment, the petitioner assaulted both brothers and tore the deceased shirt. Feeling humiliated and distressed, deceased left the place and went towards Chippakuthi Canal. Later, he called his elder brother, stating that he would jump into the canal, and then disconnected the call. When his family reached the canal, only his mobile phone was found; and he could not be traced. As such, requested the police for necessary action. Basing on the said report, the police initially registered a crime for Man Missing. However, after investigation, the section of law was altered to 108 of BNS.

3.

Heard Sri Ram Mohan Reddy, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, and Sri M.

Ramachandra Reddy, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent No.1-State. 4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is in no way responsible for the death of the deceased and that, even according to the averments in the complaint, there are no ingredients to constitute an offence punishable under Section 108 of BNS, as there is no abetment on the part of the petitioner to commit suicide. Therefore, he prayed the Court to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioner by allowing the criminal petition.

5.

On the other hand, learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, contending that the allegations against the petitioner are grave and serious in nature and that it was only due to the harassment caused by the petitioner that the deceased committed suicide. He further submitted that the investigation is still pending and, therefore, granting prearrest bail to the petitioner, at this stage, does not arise and prayed the Court to dismiss the criminal petition.

6.

In light of the submissions made by both the learned counsel and upon perusal of the material available on record, it appears that the allegation against the petitioner is that he prevented the deceased from playing cricket and, when questioned before the elders, assaulted the deceased. However, there are no specific averments in the complaint constituting the ingredients of the offence punishable under Section 108 of BNS. Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, this Court deems it fit to grant prearrest bail to the petitioner/accused, subject to the following conditions:

i.

The petitioner shall surrender before the Station House Officer, Ramadugu Police Station, Karimnagar District, within two (2) weeks from today, and upon such surrender, the Station House Officer shall release him on bail on executing a personal bond for Rs.25,000/- with two sureties, for the 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 Wednesday between 09:00 a.m, and 05:00 p.m. for a period of eight (8) weeks or till filing of charge sheet whichever is earlier, for the purpose of investigation, and thereafter, as and when required.

6.

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

_______________ K. SUJANA, J Date: 07.04.2026 SS

THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.4737 of 2026 Date: 07.04.2026 SS