ORDER :

VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA, J.

1. These Criminal Petitions have been filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for brevity ‘the BNSS’) by the Petitioners/Accused Nos.1 to 5 for granting of pre-arrest bail in connection with in Cr.No.40 of 2026 of III Town Police Station Visakhapatnam, registered for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 329(4), 351(2), 108 r/w 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNS”).

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

3. Heard Ms. Karlapudi Akhila, learned counsel for the petitioners in Crl.P.Nos.3127 and 3383 of 2026/Accused Nos.1 to 4, Sri P.L. Narasimha Rao, learned counsel for the petitioner in Crl.P.No.3275 of 2026/Accused No.5, Sri Shaik Meeravali, learned counsel for the respondent No.2 in Crl.P.Nos.3127 and 3383 of 2026, Ms. Sodum Anvesha, learned counsel for the respondent No.2 in Crl.P.No.3275 of 2026 and Ms. K. Priyanka Lakshmi, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor representing on behalf of the State.

4. The case of the prosecution, as per the complaint lodged by the 2nd respondent herein, is that her mother, Smt. Alluri Manikumari, committed suicide on 04.04.2026 due to alleged harassment and humiliation meted out by a “syndicate” of six individuals, including the petitioners. The genesis of the dispute is stated to be certain financial transactions between the father of the de-facto complainant, Sri Alluri Padmanabha Prasada Rao, and some of the accused persons.

Arguments advanced by the learned counsel appearing for the Accused Nos.1 and 4:

5. Learned counsel for the petitioners/Accused Nos.1 and 4 would submit that initially the case was registered for the offence punishable under Section 194 of the BNSS, and later it was altered to Sections 329(4), 351(2), and 108 read with 3(5) of the BNS. Learned counsel would further submit that the complaint itself would reveal that the accused had disputes with the complainant and her father regarding financial transactions. The accused had no intention to instigate or provoke the deceased to commit suicide, and their efforts were only towards recovery of a lawful debt borrowed by the father of the de-facto complainant through bank transactions. It is purely a commercial debt owed by the Management of Kakatiya Finance to the petitioners.

6. Learned counsel for the petitioners/Accused Nos.1 and 4 would further submit that the dispute is purely civil in nature and has been given a criminal colour only to avoid financial liability. Learned counsel for the petitioners would further submit that there is no proximity between the alleged harassment and the death. The alleged incident occurred on 23.02.2026, whereas the deceased committed suicide on 04.04.2026.

7. Learned counsel for the petitioners/Accused Nos.1 and 4 would further submit that Accused No.1 has two children aged about one year and five years respectively. Learned counsel would submit that there was no direct or indirect contact between the petitioners and the deceased. They never communicated with the deceased, and therefore, the question of abetment to commit suicide does not arise in this matter. No specific overt acts are attributed against the petitioners.

8. Learned counsel for Accused Nos.1 and 4 would further submit that the father of the de-facto complainant borrowed an amount of Rs.7 crores and 10 lakhs from Accused Nos.1 and 4 through RTGS. The father of the de-facto complainant suddenly vacated the house, and his whereabouts are not known. While searching for him, they contacted the de-facto complainant, and Accused Nos.1 and 4 visited their house; however, they did not even enter the house on 23.02.2026, as the police were called. The police have bound them over.

9. Learned counsel would further submit that no offence is made out against Accused Nos.1 and 4, and