Kuncham Bharath Kumar, 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.17985 of 2025 DATE: 07.01.2026 BETWEEN:

Kuncham Bharath Kumar and another ..... Petitioners/ Accused Nos.4 & 6 And The State of Telangana, Represented by its Public Prosecutor, High Court of Telangana, Hyderabad.

..... Respondent/ Complainant

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 petitioners, who is arrayed as accused Nos.4 and 6 in Crime No.1199 of 2025 before the L.B. Nagar Police Station, Rachakonda Commissionerate, registered for the offence punishable under Section 108 read with 3(5) of BNS.

2.

The brief facts of the case are that the de facto complainant lodged a report before the police stating that his daughter (deceased) became acquainted with Accused No.1 and married him in a temple without informing anyone. The parents of Accused No.1 quarreled with the deceased and refused to recognize the marriage, while also demanding dowry. On 01.11.2025, Accused Nos.1, 4, 6, and 7 went to the residence of the deceased and demanded dowry of Rs.30,00,000/-, 10 thulas of gold, 1⁄2 acre of land, and other gifts. The deceased attempted to convince Accused No.1, but when she failed, she committed suicide after writing a suicide note wherein she clearly stated that Accused No.1 was responsible for her death. Based on the same, the police registered a case against Accused Nos.1 to 7 for the aforesaid offences. 3.

Heard Sri K. Shravan Kumar Patel, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners as well as Sri D. Arun Kumar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent - State.

4.

Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are arrayed as Accused Nos.4 and 6. Accused No.4 is the brother-in-law of Accused No.1, and Accused No.6 is the father of Accused No.4, and that they are in no way connected with the

allegations. Mere relationship with the principal accused cannot be a ground to implicate them, and there are no specific allegations against the petitioners. He further submitted that other accused who were arrested have already been granted bail, and custodial interrogation of the petitioners is not required. Therefore, he prayed the Court to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioners by allowing this Criminal Petition.

5.

On the other hand, learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioners stating that the allegations leveled against the petitioners are serious in nature. Further, the investigation was not yet completed. At this stage, granting of pre-arrest bail to the petitioners does not arise. Therefore, he prayed the Court to dismiss the criminal petition.

6.

In light of the submissions made by both learned counsel, and upon perusal of the material available on record, including the suicide note written by the deceased, it is observed that there are no specific allegations against the petitioners except their relationship with the principal accused. Considering the same, custodial interrogation of the petitioners does not appear necessary at this stage. In view of the facts and circumstances of the case,

this Court deems it fit to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioners, subject to the following conditions:

i.

The petitioners shall surrender before the Station House Officer, L.B. Nagar Police Station, within two weeks from today, and on such surrender, the said Station House Officer shall release him on bail on executing a personal bond for Rs.25,000/- each with two sureties, for the like sum each.

ii.

The petitioners 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 petitioners shall appear before the concerned Investigating Officer on every Monday between 09:00 a.m, and 05:00 p.m., or till the filing of the charge sheet, whichever is earlier, and thereafter, as and when required.

7.

Accordingly, this Criminal Petition is allowed. Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed.

_______________ K. SUJANA, J Date: 07.01.2026 SS

THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No. 17985 of 2025 Date: 07.01.2026 SS