GOWRI PRASAD REDDY v. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP.,BY ITS PUBLIC

The Criminal Petition has been filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for brevity >the BNSS?) by Petitioner/Accused for granting of pre-arrest bail in connection with Crime No.207 of 2025, Vallur Police Station, YSR Kadapa District, registered for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 108 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitha, 2023 (for short <BNS=) and Sections 3(1)(w)(ii) and 3(2)(va) of the SC?s and ST?s (POA) Amendment Act, 2015.

Heard Sri V.R.Reddy Kovvuri, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mrs.K.Priyanka Lakshmi, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor on behalf of the State.

The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the defacto complainant gave a report to the police stating that her daughter in law was maintaining close relationship with the accused. The deceased was also closely associated with one Bala Swamy. Upon learning this, the accused warned the deceased that she should maintain a close relationship only with him and not speak with said Bala Swamy. Due to the accused?s behavior and threats and continuous harassment, the deceased became vexed with her life and in an attempt to commit suicide consumed Super Vasmol.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner, who is arrayed as the sole accused in the present case, is innocent and has no 4 involvement in the alleged offence. It is further submitted that the petitioner is a student pursuing his studies and that there existed close intimacy between the petitioner and the deceased. The allegation against the petitioner is that he harassed the deceased by insisting that she maintain a relationship only with him and not with any other person. It is contended that the allegations made against the petitioner are omnibus and vague. The learned counsel further submits that the petitioner is ready and willing to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Hon?ble Court and, therefore, prays that this Court may be pleased to allow the petition by imposing appropriate conditions.

Learned Assistant Public Prosecutor vehemently opposed the petition and submitted that the investigation is still in progress. It is further submitted that the deceased was a married woman aged about 28 years with two children, whereas the petitioner is a 21-year-old student. Initially, the acse has been registered under Section 194 of BNS. Later, the section of law was altered to Sections 108 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitha, 2023 (for short <BNS=) and Sections 3(1)(w)(ii) and 3(2)(va) of the SC?s and ST?s (POA) Amendment Act, 2015. The learned Assistant Public Prosecutor contended that the petitioner does not deserve the relief of anticipatory bail, as a prima facie case has been made out against him based on the material collected during the course of investigation. It is also contended that, if granted pre-arrest bail, there is a likelihood of the petitioner tampering with evidence and hampering the ongoing investigation; hence, she prayed for dismissal of the petition. 5

Considering the submissions made and upon careful perusal of the material on record, as rightly contended by the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor, the investigation is still at a nascent stage. Having regard to the nature and gravity of the offence alleged and the stage of the investigation, this Court is of the opinion that it is not desirable to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner at this stage.

In view of the above said facts and circumstances, this Criminal Petition is dismissed. As a sequel thereto, the miscellaneous applications, if any, pending in this Criminal Petition shall stand closed. Date: 03.03.2026. UPS ___________________________________ DR.VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA, J 6 230 THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 1216/2026 Dt: 03.03.2026 UPS