Surakati Ashok, v. The State Of Telangana, Through S.H.O, Habeebnagar P.S,

IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA

AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.14916 of 2025 DATE: 22.12.2025 BETWEEN:

Surakati Ashok .....petitioner/accused And The State of Telangana, Rep. by Public Prosecutor, High Court for the State of Telangana, at Hyderabad.

.....Respondent/complainant

ORDER

This Criminal Petition is filed praying this Court to enlarge the petitioner on bail who is arrayed as accused in Crime No.374 of 2024 before the Habeebnagar Police Station,

Asifnagar, registered for the offence punishable under Sections 419, 420, 376 of IPC and Section 5 read with 6 of POCSO Act. 2.

The brief facts of the case are that the victim girl, an orphan residing in her parental house along with her aunt's family, alleged that she came into contact with a person named Rohit near a temple, who professed love and promised to marry her, pursuant to which he had sexual relations with her on several occasions between January and April 2024, resulting in her pregnancy. Based on her complaint, FIR in Crime No.374 of 2024 was registered at Habeebnagar Police Station for offences under Sections 419, 420, 376 IPC and Sections 5 read with 6 of the POCSO Act against Rohit initially. Subsequently, on the basis of a second statement of the victim recorded nearly eight months later at the Bharosa Centre, the petitioner was arrayed as an accused, alleging that he had also committed sexual intercourse with the victim.

3.

Heard Sri C. Hari Preeth, 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 was innocent and had been falsely implicated, as there was no reference to his involvement either in the FIR or in the original complaint, and his name surfaced only in the belated second statement of the victim and that no specific overt acts were attributed to the petitioner, the allegations were vague and concocted, and the second statement was obtained under pressure only to shield the victim's boyfriend and to make the petitioner a scapegoat. He further submitted that the material part of the investigation was completed. Therefore, he 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 stating that the there are serious allegations against the petitioner. Further, the investigation was completed and charge sheet was also filed. At this stage, granting of bail to the petitioner does not arise. Therefore, he prayed the Court to dismiss the criminal petition.

6.

In the light of the submissions made by both the learned counsel and a perusal of the material available on record, it appears that the petitioner is in jail since 07.07.2025. As seen

from the record, the material part of the investigation has been completed and L.Ws.1 to 17 witnesses have been examined. Further, the charge sheet was also filed. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the incarceration period of the petitioner, this Court deems it fit to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions: i.

The petitioner shall execute 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 Special Judge for Trial of Cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO)- cum-XII Additional Sessions Judge, Hyderabad.

ii.

The petitioner shall appear before the concerned SHO at 11:00 a.m., on every Monday for a period of eight (8) week 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).

iv.

The petitioner shall not directly or indirectly contact, communicate with, or

attempt to influence the victim or her family members or any of the prosecution witnesses in any manner whatsoever.

v.

The petitioner shall not enter the locality of the residence of the victim until completion of trial, except with the prior permission of the trial Court.

vi.

The petitioner shall surrender his passport, if any, before the learned Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Sangareddy District, and if he does not possess a passport, he shall file an affidavit to that effect.

vii.

The petitioner shall cooperate with the investigation and trial and shall appear before the Court on all dates of hearing, unless exempted.

8.

Accordingly, the Criminal petition is allowed. Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed.

_______________ K. SUJANA, J Date: 22.12.2025 SAI

THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.14916 of 2025 Date: 22.12.2025 SAI