ORDER:

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) by the petitioners/accused Nos.4 and 6 seeking anticipatory bail in the event of their arrest in connection with Crime No.4 of 2021 of CID Police Station, RO Warangal, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 420 of IPC and Sections 3, 4 and 5 of Prized Chits and Money Circulations (Banning Act, 1978).

2. Heard Sri M.Rathan Singh, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners as well as Sri Arun Kumar Doddla, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent - State.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners were served with a notice under Section 41-A Cr.P.C. on 29.01.2025. However, despite the issuance of the said notice, the petitioners are being asked and pressured to deposit the amount allegedly collected by them. Therefore, he prayed the Court to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioners by allowing this criminal petition.

4. On the other hand, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor, on instructions, submitted that he opposes the contentions raised by the learned counsel for the petitioners. He contended that there is no such demand for money; rather, the authorities are merely seeking the documents referred to in the 41-A Cr.P.C. notice. Accordingly, he prayed that the Criminal Petition be dismissed.

5. Considering the submissions made by both learned counsel and upon perusal of the material available on record, it appears that the authorities are only insisting on the production of documentary proof.

6. Accordingly, this Criminal Petition is dismissed.

Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed.

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K. SUJANA, J