Kethavath Srikanth v. The State Of Telangana

IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT

HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.16571 of 2025 DATE: 31.12.2025 Between:

Kethavath Srikanth .... Petitioner/Accused AND The State of Telangana, Rep. by its Public Prosecutor, High Court, Hyderabad P.S. Adibatla, Rachakonda and another .... Respondents

O R D E R

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 480 & 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, by the petitioner/accused seeking his enlargement on bail in Crime No.745 of of Adibatla Police Station, Rachakonda Commissionerate. The offences alleged against the petitioner are under Sections 65(1) of BNS and Section 5(l) read with 6 of POCSO Act, 2012.

2.

The brief facts of the case are that on 08.11.2025, the defacto complainant, who is the mother of the victim, lodged a report

- 2 - before the police stating that the victim, aged about 16 years and educated up to the 6th class at Girijana Ashrama School, committed suicide on 06.11.2025 at about 4:00 p.m. by consuming "Hit" medicine, which is used to kill cockroaches. She was immediately taken to Vanasthalipuram Area Hospital, where, upon questioning, she revealed that the petitioner had frequently visited her house, expressed his love, and conveyed his intention to marry her, but later exploited her physically. In view of these circumstances, the complainant requested the police to take necessary action. Based on the said complaint, a case was registered against the petitioner for the aforementioned offences. 3.

Heard Sri R. Giri Kumar, learned counsel for the petitioner, Sri Penuballi Ramesh Babu, learned counsel for respondent No.2 and Sri D. Arun Kumar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent-State.

4.

The contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner is that the petitioner is innocent of the alleged offences. In fact, the petitioner and the victim are brother and sister by relation, and after registration of the case, a panchayat was held wherein it was decided not to proceed further. He further submitted that the petitioner has been in judicial custody since 11.11.2025 and that

- 3 - the material part of the investigation has already been completed. Therefore, he prayed the Court to grant bail to the petitioner. 5.

On the other hand, learned counsel for respondent No.2 stated that there is no objection to granting bail to the petitioner. 6.

Learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions made by learned counsel for the petitioner, contending that the allegations against the petitioner are grave in nature, and that the investigation is still pending. Therefore, prayed the Court to dismiss the criminal petition. 7.

Considering the submissions made by the respective counsel and the material available on record, it is noted that the petitioner has been in judicial custody since 11.11.2025. As seen from the remand case diary, the prosecution witnesses LWs.1 to 17 have been examined, including the statement of the victim under Section 183 of BNSS. Considering the statement of the victim and the submission of the learned counsel for respondent No.2, this Court deems 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.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only), with two sureties for a like sum each to the

- 4 - satisfaction of the learned XV Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Ibrahimpatnam, 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).

8.

Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is allowed. Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending shall stand closed. _______________ K. SUJANA, J Date : 31.12.2025 SS

- 5 - THE HON'BLE SMT. JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.16571 OF 2025 DATE : 31.12.2025 SS