Katta Narisimha Rao, v. The State Of Telangana,

THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE E.V. VENUGOPAL CRIMINAL PETITION No.7866 of 2026 DATE: 21.05.2026 BETWEEN:

Katta Narisimha Rao .....petitioner/accused No.2 And The State of Telangana, Rep. by its Public Prosecutor, High Court for the State of Telangana at Hyderabad.

.....Respondent

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 No.2 in Crime No.413 of 2026 before the Saroornagar

Police Station, Malkajgiri District, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 80 read with 3(5) BNS. 2.

The brief facts of the case are that on 19.04.2026 the de-facto complainant, lodged a report before the police stating that her younger daughter, Abhinaya (35 years), was married to A1 on 27.01.2020 and that substantial dowry in the form of gold, cash and silver was given at the time of marriage. Soon after the marriage, A1 subjected Abhinaya to physical and mental harassment for additional dowry, which continued despite intervention by elders and the couple living separately for the past two and a half years. The accused, along with his parents, allegedly persisted in demanding more money and subjected her to cruelty. For about 20 days prior to the incident, A1 had been residing with his parents, leaving Abhinaya alone with her minor son. On 18.04.

2026, upon receiving information that Abhinaya was not opening her room door, the complainant and family reached her residence and found her hanging from a ceiling fan; she was brought down and found dead. Hence complainant requested to take necessary action. Based on this report, the police registered a case against the accused for the alleged offences.

3.

Heard Sri Yemmiganur Soma Srinath Reddy, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner as well as Sri D. Arun Kumar, 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 case. It is contended that A2 has been residing separately from the deceased and was never involved in any demand for dowry either prior to or after the marriage. It is further submitted that there are no specific allegations against A2 with regard to cruelty or dowry harassment "soon before the death" of the deceased and that A2 never resided with the deceased and her husband.

Learned counsel further submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to cooperate with the investigation and prayed the Court to grant prearrest bail to the petitioner by allowing the present Criminal Petition.

5.

Learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions, contending that the allegations against the petitioner are grave in nature, as the death occurred within

seven years of marriage due to dowry harassment and custodial interrogation is necessary and prayed the Court to dismiss the Criminal Petition.

6.

In light of the submissions made by all the learned counsel and upon perusal of the material available on record, A2 is concerned, it is evident that he has been residing separately for the past two years and the allegations against him are vague and omnibus, without any specific instances of cruelty or harassment "soon before death." In the absence of prima facie material, this Court deems it fit to grant anticipatory bail to accused No.2, subject to the following conditions:

i.

The petitioner-accused No.2 shall surrender before the Station House Officer, Saroornagar Police Station, Malkajgiri District 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/- 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 the filing of the charge sheet, whichever is earlier and thereafter, as and when required.

7.

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

____________________ E.V. VENUGOPAL, J Date: 21.05.2026 SPD/NDS

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE E. V. VENUGOPAL CRIMINAL PETITION No.7866 of 2026 Date: 21.05.2026 SPD/NDS