Rathna Naresh, v. The State Of Telangana,

IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA

AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE T. MADHAVI DEVI CRIMINAL PETITION No.7890 of 2026 DATE: 15.05.2026 BETWEEN:

Rathna Naresh.

...Petitioner/Accused

AND The State of Telangana, through Police Station, Hadnoor, Rep. by its 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 pre-arrest bail to the petitioner, who is arrayed as sole accused in Crime No.72 of 2026 of Hadnoor Police Station, Sangareddy District, registered for the offences punishable under Section 409, 420, 477-A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short 'IPC').

2.

The brief facts of the case are that on 24.02.2026, the Sub-Inspector of Police, Hadnoor Police Station received information that the petitioner, while working as a Data Entry Operator at the Mandal Parishad Office,

Hadnoor, misappropriated an amount of Rs.12,50,000/- by manipulating the official records and creating fake beneficiaries in the database. It is alleged that the petitioner transferred the said amount to his personal bank account and to the accounts of his family members. Based on the said information, the Sub-Inspector of Police registered a suo motu complaint and the same was registered as Crime No.72 of 2026 for the offences punishable under Sections 409, 420 and 477-A of IPC. Apprehending the arrest, the petitioner has filed the present Criminal Petition seeking pre-arrest bail. 3.

Heard Mr.

Dasi Ramesh, learned counsel representing Mr. Palle Sriharinath, learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent - State. 4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has not been arrayed as an accused in Crime No.72 of 2026, however, the Police are making efforts to apprehend the petitioner, and therefore, the petitioner is apprehending arrest. It is further submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the case. The petitioner has been working as a Data Entry Operator and has no independent authority to sanction or disburse any amounts without the approval of higher officials. The allegations are based on mere suspicion and no prima facie case is made out against the petitioner. It is also submitted that the petitioner is a

permanent resident of the locality and there is no chance of his absconding. The petitioner is ready and willing to co-operate with the investigation and to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, the present Criminal Petition has been filed.

5.

On the other hand, the learned Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner stating that the allegations leveled against the petitioner are serious in nature involving misappropriation of public funds by manipulating official records. 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 upon perusal of the material available on record, it prima facie appears that the petitioner is arrayed as the sole accused. It is further observed that the investigation is still pending and the allegations pertain to misappropriation of public funds. However, considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature of the allegations against the petitioner, and the nature of the offences alleged, and the fact that the petitioner is a permanent resident and there is no apprehension of his absconding, 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, Hadnoor Police Station, Sanga Reddy 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/- (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 the 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 Monday 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.

iv.

The petitioner shall not leave the limits of Sangareddy District without prior permission of the Investigating Officer.

7.

Accordingly, this Criminal Petition is allowed. Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall also stand closed. ___________________________ JUSTICE T. MADHAVI DEVI Date: 15.05.2026 krk/mvm