Mr. Manoj Omprakash Mandhani @ Manoj Manya v. The State Of Telangana

IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA

AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE VAKITI RAMAKRISHNA REDDY CRIMINAL PETITION No.8009 OF 2026 DATE : 29.05.2026 Between:

Manoj Omprakash Mandhani @ Manoj Manya.

...Petitioner/Accused No.5

AND The State of Telangana, Through its Public Prosecutor, High Court at Hyderabad.

...Respondent/Complainant

O R D E R

This Criminal Petition is filed under Sections 480 & 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNSS') by the petitioner/Accused No.5 seeking to enlarge him on bail in connection with Crime No.149 of 2026, on the file of Bodhan Town Police Station, Nizamabad District, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 61(2), 316(2), 111 read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, (for short 'BNS Act), Sections 66(D) and 69(A) of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008 and Sections 3 and 4 of the Telangana Gaming Act.

2.

Heard Sri Aadesh Varma, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as Sri Jithender Rao Veeramalla, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent-State. Perused the material available on record.

3.

The allegations levelled against the petitioner are that the petitioner, in collusion with the other accused, was running cricket betting activities at Aneesa Nagar, Bodhan, and that they acted as bookies by influencing punters through digital transactions involving an amount of Rs.45,55,545/-.

4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is innocent, that no specific allegations are levelled against him and that he has been falsely implicated in the case. It is further submitted the petitioner is the sole bread winner to his family and that he has been in judicial custody since 29.04.2026 and that accused No.1 was already granted bail by the trial Court. Therefore, learned counsel prays to enlarge the petitioner/accused No.5 on bail.

5.

On the other hand, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed for grant of bail to the petitioner as the offences alleged against the petitioner are serious in nature and hence prayed to dismiss the Criminal Petition.

6.

Having heard learned counsel for the respective parties and on perusal of the record, it is evident that there no specific overtacts attributed against the petitioner herein. Further, the petitioner was taken into police custody on 29.04.2026 and since then, he is in judicial custody and lodged in Sarangapur Prison, Nizamabad District. Keeping in view the nature of the allegations, period of incarnation and that material part of investigation was completed, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions:- i) The petitioner/A5 shall be released on bail on his executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the learned V Additional District Judge at Bodhan.

ii) The petitioner/A5 shall appear before the concerned Investigating Officer on every Monday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for a period of four (04) weeks or till filing of the charge sheet, whichever is earlier. iii) The petitioner/A5 shall furnish his mobile number and surrender his passport, if any, before the trial Court and shall not leave the Country without prior permission from the trial Court.

iv) The petitioner/A5 shall not directly or indirectly influence, threaten, or induce any of the prosecution witnesses.

v) The petitioner/A5 shall not hamper the investigation or tamper with the prosecution evidence in any manner.

vi) The petitioner/A5 shall abide by the conditions stipulated under Section 480(3) of the BNSS.

vii) In the event of breach of any of the above conditions, the prosecution is entitled to file appropriate application for cancellation of bail granted to the petitioner.

7.

Accordingly, this Criminal Petition is allowed. Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending shall stand closed. _____________________________ VAKITI RAMAKRISHNA REDDY,J Date: 29.05.2026 ss

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE VAKITI RAMAKRISHNA REDDY CRIMINAL PETITION No.8009 OF 2026 DATE : 29.05.2026 ss