ORDER :

Heard Mr. Kalyan Dilip Sunkara, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. T. Srikanth Reddy, learned Government Pleader for Home appearing on behalf of the respondents.

2. This writ petition is filed to declare the action of the respondents in registering multiple FIRs arising out of the same cause of action against the husband of the petitioner as illegal; for a consequential direction to the respondent police to refrain from registering further FIRs against the husband of the petitioner; for treating any existing or future FIRs or complaints made by persons in relation to the actions forming part of the investigation under one FIR as additional witness statements.

3. FACTS :

(i) The petitioner herein is the wife of Mr. Naveen Kumar Chintapandu, alias Teen Mar Mallanna, a Free-press Journalist.

(ii) The husband of the petitioner is running a You Tube Channel named ‘Q’ News. As part of his activities, he conducts interviews and discussions with several prominent persons, who express their views on different issues, such as politics, economics and society, and uploads them on You Tube.

(iii) A case in Crime No.197 of 2021 was registered by the Chilkalguda Police Station, Hyderabad against the husband of the petitioner on 22.04.2021 for the offences under Sections - 387 and 504 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short ‘IPC’) on the allegation that he had threatened the de facto complainant, an Astrologer (Sri Lakshmikant Sarma) and demanded an amount of Rs.30,00,000/- (Rupees Thirty Lakhs Only), failing which, the husband of the petitioner herein would spread false news about the Astrologer on Social-media Platforms.

(iv) A notice under Section - 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short ‘Cr.P.C.’) was issued and the husband of the petitioner had complied with the same.

(v) The respondent police have registered 35 crimes against the husband of the petitioner in different police stations for offences under various provisions of Law.

4. CONTENTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE PETITIONER :

(i) The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that after a lapse of four (04) months, without there-being any fresh material whatsoever, the Investigating Officer in Crime No.197 of 2021 added Section - 306 read with Section 511 of the IPC to the aforesaid offences.

(ii) The police authorities in connivance with political rivals and complainants have registered multiple crimes against the husband of the petitioner based on the same cause of action only to harass him. His implication in criminal cases is only political witch-hunting and arm twisting to stop him from engaging in the free-press.

(iii) The husband of the petitioner was arrested on 28.08.2021. IN recent past 8 crimes were registered against the husband of the petitioner, 5 crimes were registered for abusing the Chief Minister of Telangana State and 3 crimes for using der4ogqatory and abusive language against the Inspector of Police, Chilkalguda Police Station with respect to the allegations from very same cause of action.

(iv) All 35 crimes were registered against the husband of the petitioner at different police stations of Telangana State for different offences on the complaints lodged by different de facto complainants.

(v) Registration of multiple FIRs on the same allegations which arise out of the same cause of action is impermissible. Registration of multiple FIRs violates Articles - 19 (1) (a) and 21 of the Constitution of India. It is also violative of the procedure laid down under the Cr.P.C. and also contrary to the principles laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court and this Court in a catena of judgments. It is a vindictive attitude.

(vi) With the aforesaid submissions, the learned counsel sought a direction against the respondent police to refrain them from registering further FIRs against the husband of the petitioner.

5. CONTENTIONS ON BEHALF OF RESPONDENTS :

(i)