Katravath Ratan v. The State Of Telangana,

THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.13477 of 2025 ORDER:

Seeking the Court to enlarge the petitioner-accused in Crime No.395 of 2025 of Kadthal Police Station, Cyberabad Commissionerate, on bail, the present petition is filed. 2 .

The brief facts of the case are that, on 25.08.2025, the defacto complainant, who is the mother of the victim lodged a report stating that on 23.08.2025, the complainant, along with her daughter, went to a government college to enroll her daughter in the intermediate course. After completing the admission process, they proceeded to the Kadthal bus stand. Due to her son's illness, the complainant decided to return home, while her daughter planned to travel to Hyderabad to stay with her father and brother to assist them with household chores. However, the complainant was later informed that her daughter had not arrived at her husband's residence, prompting the family to begin searching for the girl. Despite their efforts, they were unable to locate her, and the complainant grew suspicious of the petitioner. Based on her complaint, a case was registered as Crime No.395 of 2025 for the offence

punishable under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) initially. Upon knowing about the complaint, the victim and the petitioner returned to the village and expressed their willingness to get married, which the family did not accept. Based on the statements of witnesses, the charges were subsequently altered to Section 96 and Section 64(1) of the BNS, as well as Section 5(l) read with Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. 3.

Heard Sri B. Bhagath Sain, learned counsel appearing for 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 no offence had been committed by the petitioner and that he was innocent of the alleged accusations. In fact, the petitioner and the victim were in love, and the victim had admitted that she had accompanied the petitioner with her consent and had married him out of mutual affection. He further submitted that the petitioner had been arrested on 28.08.2025 and had remained in judicial custody since then and that the victim was nearly 17 years old and that a substantial portion of the investigation had already been completed. Therefore, prayed the

Court to grant bail to the petitioner by allowing this criminal petition.

5.

On the other hand, learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, contending that the allegations against the petitioner were heinous in nature and that the investigation is still ongoing, releasing the petitioner on bail at this stage may lead to tampering with evidence or intimidation of witnesses and prayed the Court to dismiss the criminal petition. 6.

In light of the submissions made by both the learned counsel and upon a perusal of the material available on record, it is evident that the petitioner has been in judicial custody since 28.08.2025. As reflected in the remand case diary, prosecution witnesses LWs.1 to 15 have already been examined, including the statements of the victim under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, including the nature of the allegations, the stage of investigation, and the duration of incarceration, this Court finds it appropriate to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions:

i.

The petitioner shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only), with two sureties for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial First Class Magistrate at Amangal, Ranga Reddy District.

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: 24.10.2025 SS

THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.13477 of 2025 Date: 24.10.2025 SS