ORDER

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 528 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) by the petitioners/accused Nos.1 to 4 seeking to quash the proceedings against them in S.C.No.143 of 2025 on the file of learned Principal Sessions Judge, Bhadradri Kothagudem.

2. Heard Sri Mummaneni Srinivasa Rao, learned counsel for petitioners and Sri Jithender Rao Veeramalla, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent No.1-State.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the alleged offence is stated to have been committed in the year 2019 and

that, even according to the averments in the complaint, the alleged continuation of the offence was only up to six months prior to the lodging of the complaint. At that point in time, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) had not been introduced and, therefore, the offence, if any, ought to have been registered under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). It is contended that the registration of the crime under Section 69 of BNS is neither just nor proper. Learned counsel, therefore, prays that the matter be remanded to the trial Court for taking appropriate action in accor