Veleti Rufus Alias Refus Paul 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.5579 of 2026 DATE: 30.04.2026 BETWEEN:

Veleti Rufus @ Refus Paul .....petitioner/accused No.1 And The State of Telangana, Rep. by Public Prosecutor, High Court for the State of Telangana, at Hyderabad.

.....Respondent/complainant

ORDER

This Criminal Petition is filed praying this Court to enlarge the petitioner on bail who is arrayed as accused No.1 in Crime No.48 of 2026 before the Jawaharnagar Police Station, Rachakonda Commissionerate, registered for the

offence punishable under Sections 318(4), 338, 340(2) read with 3(5) of BNS.

2.

The brief facts of the case are that on 09.01.2026, based on the complaint of Kumarla Prashanthi, Crime No.48/2026 was registered at Jawahar Nagar Police Station for offences under Sections 318(4), 338, 340(2) r/w 3(5) BNS. It is alleged that the petitioner, Veleti Rufus @ Refus Paul, induced the complainant and several students by falsely claiming that he could secure passing marks in GRE, TOEFL and IELTS examinations through illegal means, collected huge amounts through various bank accounts, and later supplied fake scorecards. On verification, the scorecards were found forged, and when questioned, the accused allegedly threatened the complainant. The petitioner was arrested on 23.03.2026 and has been in judicial custody since then.

3.

Heard Sri D. sudharshan, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner as well as 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 a financial dispute given a criminal colour and that the ingredients of the alleged offences are not made out, there is no material showing fraudulent intention from inception, forgery, or conspiracy, and the case is mainly based on documentary and electronic evidence already in police custody. He contended that the investigation is substantially complete, continued detention is unnecessary, there was unexplained delay in lodging the complaint, and the petitioner has no criminal antecedents, is suffering from medical ailments, and is ready to comply with any conditions imposed by the Court. Therefore, he prayed the Court to grant bail to the petitioner by allowing this Criminal Petition. 5.

Learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the bail application contending that the petitioner cheated the complainant and several students by collecting large sums of money on false promises of securing examination results and supplied forged scorecards and that the allegations are grave in nature, involve cheating of multiple victims and substantial amounts, and the investigation is still pending with filing of

charge sheet yet to be completed. He contended that if released on bail, the petitioner may influence witnesses or tamper with evidence, and therefore he is not entitled to bail at this stage.

6.

In the light of the submissions made by both the learned counsel and a perusal of the material available on record, it appears that the petitioner is in jail since 23.03.2026. As seen from the record, the material part of the investigation has been completed and L.Ws.1 to 8 witnesses have been examined.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the incarceration period of the petitioner, this Court deems it fit to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions: i.

The petitioner shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) each, with two sureties for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the Metropolitan Magistrate, Medchal Malkajgiri District at Medchal.

ii.

The petitioner shall appear before the concerned SHO at 11:00 a.m., on every Monday for a period of eight (8) week or till filing of charge sheet whichever is earlier, for the purpose of investigation, and thereafter, as and when required.

iii.

The petitioner shall abide by the conditions stipulated in Section 437(3) of Cr.P.C.(presently, Section 480(3) of the BNSS).

7.

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

_______________ K. SUJANA, J Date: 30.04.2026 SAI

THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.5579 of 2026 Date: 30.04.2026 SAI