Kathula Narsi Reddy v. State Of Telangana
THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.13571 of 2025 ORDER:
This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'BNSS') for grant of prearrest bail to the petitioner, who is arrayed as accused in Crime No.180 of 2025 on the file of the Devaruppula Police Station, Warangal District, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 420 and 409 of IPC.
2.
The brief facts of the case are that, on 12.07.2025 defacto complainant lodged a report before the police stating that the petitioner was working as the Branch Post Master, Singarajupalli Branch Post Office (hereinafter referred to as "BO"), which is under the account jurisdiction of Waddicherla Nawabpet Sub Post Office, during the period from 23.02.1991 to 22.02.2023. On 18.08.2021, the Sub-Divisional Office conducted an enquiry and found a shortage of Rs.17,005/-. Again, during an inspection on 26.08.2021, a further shortage of Rs.44,583/- was detected, making the total shortage Rs.61,588/-. The said amount was immediately recovered from the petitioner, and he was removed from service with effect from 22.02.2023. Thereafter, as per the provisions of Rule 34 (Losses of Government Property due to Fire, Theft, Fraud, etc.) of the General Financial Rules, 2017, any fraud involving an amount above Rs.50,000/- must invariably be reported to the police for necessary
investigation. Accordingly, a report was lodged with the police on administrative grounds.
3.
Heard Sri N.N.Somendra Reddy, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner as well as Sri Arun Kumar Doddla, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent - State.
4.
Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent of the alleged offences. Without any objection or admission of guilt, the petitioner paid the demanded amount of Rs.61,588/-, which was stated to be the shortage amount. He further submitted that the petitioner has already been removed from service. Therefore, prayed the Court to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioner by allowing this Criminal Petition.
5.
On the other hand, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner stating that there are clear allegations against the petitioner. He further submitted that, being the Branch Post Master, the petitioner misused and misappropriated the amount in question. As such, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor prayed the Court to dismiss the criminal petition.
6.
In light of the submissions made by both the learned counsel and upon perusal of the material available on record, it appears that the petitioner has already been removed from service and that the alleged amount has been recovered from him. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court deems it just and proper to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioner/accused, subject to the following conditions:
i.
The petitioner/Accused shall surrender before the Station House Officer, Devaruppula Police Station, Warangal District, within two weeks from today, and on such surrender, the said Station House Officer shall release him on bail, on petitioner executing a personal bond for Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only), with two sureties, for the like sum each.
ii.
The petitioner/Accused 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/Accused shall appear before the concerned Investigating Officer on every Monday between 09:00 a.m, and 05:00 p.m., till the filing of the charge sheet and thereafter, as and when required.
7.
Accordingly, the Criminal petition is allowed. Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed. _______________ K. SUJANA, J Date: 27.10.2025 dsv
THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.13571 of 2025 Date: 27.10.2025 dsv