Mohd Jaleel, 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.5486 of 2026 DATE: 20.04.2026 BETWEEN:

Mohd Jaleel ..... Petitioner/Accused No.1 And The State of Telangana, Rep. through Public Prosecutor, High Court at Hyderabad ..... Respondent

ORDER

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNSS') for grant of prearrest bail to the petitioner, who is arrayed as accused No.1 Crime No.187 of 2025 before the Golconda Police Station, Hyderabad, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 69, 329(4), 324(4), 352 and 351(2) read with 3(5) of BNS. 2.

The brief facts of the case are that, the de-facto complainant, on 08.08.2025, lodged a report before the Police stating that in

January 2024 she met accused No.1 and they became acquainted, exchanged contact details, and developed a close relationship over time. During the course of their interaction, the accused allegedly proposed marriage to her in June 2024, and on the basis of this promise, she consented to a physical relationship with him. It is alleged that the accused continued the relationship while repeatedly postponing marriage.

In January 2025, the complainant discovered that accused No.1 was already married and had a family, a fact he had concealed from her. She alleges that he obtained her consent for the relationship by deception and thereby cheated and breached her trust, causing her emotional distress. Subsequently, on 07.08.2025, accused No.2 (wife of accused No.1) along with her son allegedly trespassed into the complainant's house, abused her in filthy language, damaged property, and threatened to defame her by circulating morphed images and videos on social media. Hence, requested the police to take necessary action. Based on this report, the police registered a case against the accused for the above-mentioned offences. 3.

Heard Sri M.V.

Hanumantha Rao, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, and Sri M. Ramachandra Reddy, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent-State.

4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case and that the de-facto complainant is an MBBS graduate, whereas the petitioner is an illiterate person, and therefore the allegation of inducement or cheating does not arise. He further submitted that the relationship between the petitioner and the de-facto complainant was purely consensual in nature. Even as per the averments in the complaint, the de-facto complainant was aware of the earlier marriage of the petitioner with accused No.2 in January 2024; however, no complaint was lodged with the police at that time, which casts serious doubt on the veracity of the allegations. He further contended that the petitioner is presently working in Dubai and is unable to travel immediately, and there is no likelihood of his absconding or tampering with evidence. 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 the investigation is still pending and, therefore, granting pre-arrest 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 learned counsel and upon perusal of the material available on record, it appears that the age of the petitioner is 55 years and the age of the victim is 32 years as on the date of filing of the complaint. The complaint itself indicates that the complainant came to know about the marriage of the petitioner in the month of January 2025; however, no complaint or report was lodged immediately thereafter. Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, particularly the delay in lodging the report, the nature of the allegations, and the relationship between the parties, this Court deems it appropriate to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions:

i.

The petitioner shall surrender before the Station House Officer, Golconda Police Station, Hyderabad within two weeks from today, and on such surrender, the said Court 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.

7.

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

_______________ K. SUJANA, J Date: 20.04.2026 SS

THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.5486 of 2026 Date: 20.04.2026 SS