In cases involving grave offences like murder arising from political rivalry, bail may be denied if there is prima facie evidence of active participation and a reasonable apprehension of witness tampering or disturbance to law and order.

Petition under Section 437/438/439/482 of Cr.P.C and 528 of BNSS praying that in the circumstances stated in the Memorandum of Grounds of Criminal Petition, the High Court pleased to enlarqe the Petitioners/Accused Nos. 3, 5 and 7 on bail in connection with Crime No. 24/2026 of Kothananduru Police Station, Kakinada District, on such terms and conditions as this Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case.

Petition under Section 437/438/439/482 of Cr.P.C and 528 of BNSS praying that in the circumstances stated in the Memorandum of Grounds of Criminal Petition, the High Court pleased to enlarge the Petitioners/Accused Nos. 8, 9, 12, 13, and 14 on bail in connection with Crime No. 24/2026 of Kothananduru Police Station, Kakinada District, on such terms and conditions as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the interest of justice.

The Court made the following:

THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA

CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 2898 and 2890 of 2026

COMMON ORDER:

Since the subject matter of these Criminal Petitions is one and the same, at the request of the learned counsel on both sides, these petitions are heard together and passed the following common order.

2. This Criminal Petition is filed under Sections 480 and 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, “BNSS”), by the petitioners/Accused Nos.3, 5,7,8,9,12,13 and 14 seeking grant of regular bail in connection with Crime No.24 of 2026 on the file of Kothananduru Police Station, Kakinada District. The said crime is registered for the offences punishable under Sections 61(2), 103(1), 109(1) read with 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short, “BNS”).

3. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the de-facto complainant, who belongs to a political party, along with others, after attending birthday celebrations on 16.01.2026 at about 8:30 PM near the Village Secretariat, was returning to their respective houses. When they reached near the house of Accused No.1, the petitioners along with other persons allegedly attacked them with knives, iron rods, and sticks. In the said incident, one Lalam Bangarayya died due to stab injuries. It is further alleged that Accused persons attacked injured witness Chintakayala Srirammurthy, and Accused No.3 stabbed him on his face. The de-facto complainant was also assaulted with sticks and iron rods by all the accused. Hence, the case.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners/Accused Nos.3, 5,7,8,9,12,13 and 14 and the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor for the State.

5. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that due to political rivalry, a false case has been foisted against the petitioners. It is contended that though one person died and others sustained injuries in the alleged incident, there are no specific allegations connecting the present petitioners with the death of the deceased. Accused No.11 is a Government Employee working as Branch Post Master and the accused No.10 is a student. Their role is limited to an alleged attack on injured witness No.2 (L.W.1), and no overt acts are attributed to them in respect of the deceased. It is further submitted that the petitioners were arrested on 20.01.2026 and have been in judicial custody since then. The learned counsel also submits that, in fact, the petitioners were attacked by the de facto complainant and his associates, who trespassed into their house, caused damage to property, and inflicted injuries on them. The learned counsel for the petitioners submit that the petitioners are law-abiding citizens and are willing to furnish adequate sureties. Hence, it is prayed that they be enlarge