V. Nikhil Reddy 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.6485 OF 2026 DATE: 30.04.2026 BETWEEN:

Sri V.Nikhil Reddy S/o V.Narayan Reddy.

... Petitioner/ Accused No.5 And The State of Telangana, represented by its Public Prosecutor High Court for the State of Telangana Hyderabad, Through P.S.Madhapur.

... Respondent

O R D E R

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNSS') for grant of pre-arrest bail to the petitioner, who is arrayed as accused No.5 in Crime No.2515 of 2026 on the file of Madhapur Police Station, Cyberabad Commissionerate, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 127(2), 308 (2), 115(2), 351(2) read with 3 (5) of the BNS.

2.

Heard Sri Y.Mayur Reddy, learned Senior Counsel representing Sri Dharmesh D.K.Jaiswal, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri M.Ramachandra Reddy, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent-State.

3.

The case of the prosecution is that on 22.12.2025 at about 10:00 p.m., the complainant along with others went to the house of one Narayana Reddy near Rameshwaram Café to discuss an issue relating to land transaction. It is alleged that the said Narayana Reddy and his associates were forcibly took them into a parking area, snatched cash boxes from them, and thereafter dragged them into a lift where the petitioner along with other accused assaulted and wrongfully confined the said Narayana Reddy and his associates. Subsequently, the accused were taken basement storeroom, again assaulted, and confined. It is further alleged that the accused forcibly took away the money brought by Narayana Reddy and his associates and pushed them out without returning the same. Based on the said allegations, police registered a case for the aforesaid offences. 4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is innocent of the offences alleged against him and he has been falsely implicated in the present case and that the name of the petitioner does not find place in the FIR and he was sought to be implicated only on the basis of vague allegations as "others." He further submitted that the dispute between the parties is 'civil in nature' which was arising out of land disputes, and the present complaint has been lodged with mala fide intention. He contended that there is an unexplained delay of seven days in registering the FIR, which casts doubt on

the prosecution case and that all the alleged offences are punishable with an imprisonment of below seven years and therefore, he prayed this Court to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioner by allowing this Criminal Petition. 5.

On the other hand, learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the petition and contending that the allegations in the complaint clearly disclose commission of serious offences including wrongful confinement, extortion, and assault. He further submitted that during the course of investigation, the petitioner was identified as assailants in the status report filed before the Court and his role is being investigated. Therefore, at this stage, granting of pre-arrest bail to the petitioner does not arise. Hence, he prayed the Court to dismiss the criminal petition.

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 allegations arise out of an incident involving assault, wrongful confinement, and forcible taking of money in connection with a land dispute between the parties. The main allegation against the petitioner is that he along with other accused, participated in the alleged assault and wrongful confinement of the complainant and his associates and forcibly took away cash brought by them. As seen from the record, his name does not find place in the FIR and his involvement is

sought to be established during the course of investigation. Further, material part of the investigation appears to be completed and the offences alleged are punishable with imprisonment below seven years. Considering the same, this Court is inclined to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions:

i.

The petitioner shall surrender before the Station House Officer, Madhapur Police Station, Cyberabad Commissionerate, within two weeks from today, and on such surrender, the said Station House Officer shall release him on bail on 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 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 the charge sheet, whichever is earlier and thereafter, as and when required. iv.

The petitioners are directed not to contact the de facto complainant or any other witnesses during the course of investigation.

7.

Accordingly, these Criminal Petitions are allowed. Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed.

________________ K. SUJANA, J Date: 30.04.2026 YVL