Smt. Mara Vijaya Laxmi v. The State Of Telangana

HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE A. SANTHOSH REDDY CRIMINAL PETITION No.3914 of 2023 O R D E R:

This Criminal Petition under Sections 437 and 439 Cr.P.C. is filed by petitioner - Accused in Crime No.3/ACB-KNR/2023 on the file of ACB Karimnagar, Karimnagar District, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 7(a) and 7(b) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, seeking bail.

2.

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner Mr. M. Ram Mohan Reddy and learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the respondentState. 3.

The case of prosecution is that on 17-03-2023 at 12-00 hours, the de-facto complainant Sri Adamala Laxma Reddy lodged a complaint stating that when he approached the accused, who was working as Panchayat Secretary, G.P.Rechapally, for issuance of a cheque of Rs.4,24,412/-, which was sanctioned towards execution of the work, she has demanded a bribe of Rs.10,000/-, but he did not pay the said amount. Basing on the complaint, the Inspector of Police, ACB, has verified and obtained permission and thereafter, registered a case in Cr.No.3/ACB-KNR/2023 against the accused. 4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has neither demanded nor received any amount as alleged by the

ASR, J Crl.P.No.3914 of 2023 prosecution. He submits that the petitioner is innocent and she has nothing to do with the alleged offence and she has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that the petitioner was working as Panchayat Seretary and discharging her duties regularly to the utmost satisfaction of her superiors. He submits that as she has no criminal antecedents, her case may be considered for grant of bail. 5.

Learned Additional Public Prosecutor submits that the investigation is almost completed and only the statements of some more witnesses under Section 164 Cr.P.C., are yet to be recorded and hence, she is not entitled for bail.

6.

A perusal of the First Information Report and other material available on record would disclose that material witnesses were examined and major part of the investigation is completed. In view of the said facts and circumstances and considering the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Additional Public prosecutor, the petitioner/accused can be enlarged on bail, however, on certain conditions.

7.

The Criminal Petition is allowed. Petitioner - Accused shall be enlarged on bail on her executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees twenty five thousand only) with two sureties for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the Special Judge for SPE & SCB Cases at Karimnagar. Petitioner - Accused shall appear before the

ASR, J Crl.P.No.3914 of 2023 Station House Officer, ACB, Karimnagar, Karimnagar District, on every Sunday between 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m, till completion of investigation or filing of the charge sheet. However, the petitioner shall not leave the country without prior permission of the Court below. ______________________ A. SANTHOSH REDDY, J 4th May, 2023 sj