THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.10256 of 2025

ORDER:

This Criminal Petition is filed under Sections 480 and 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) by the petitioner/accused No.1 seeking bail in Crime No.170 of 2025, of Miryalguda I Town Police Station, Nalgonda District, registered for the offences punishable under Section 318(4) r/w 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 5 of the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978.

2. The case of the prosecution in brief is that the de facto complainant lodged a complaint alleging that two individuals, Mandadi Mallishwari and K. Ramesh, both from Housing Board Colony, Miryalguda, approached her on behalf of "RK Enterprises" and introduced a scheme promising Rs.1,000/- monthly returns for 15 months, along with monthly draws offering valuable items to 10 members. If a participant's name did not appear in any draw, 60% of the amount paid would be refunded. Claiming the company was registered, they induced the complainant and others—namely Bantu Anusha, Gadeboina Nirmala, Banti Aruna, Daida Kusuma, Doneti Sathyavathi, Dosapati Vijay, and nearly 200 others—to join. The complainant paid Rs.1,000/- per month for 15 months, totalling Rs.15,000/-. After the scheme period ended, no goods were delivered, and Mallishwari merely stated that items would arrive "today or tomorrow" but later stopped responding to calls. When the complainant and others visited her house, the owner informed them that she had vacated the premises three months ago. Ramesh's house was also found locked. Basing on the same, present crime was registered.

3. Heard Sri Y.Bala Murali, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri Syed Yasar Mamoon, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent-State.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent of the alleged offence and that there is no cheating as claimed by the complainant. It is further submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the case and has been in judicial custody since 04.07.2025. The material part of the investigation has already been completed. It was also submitted that the petitioner is willing to cooperate with the investigation and is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court and and hence, prayed for grant of bail.

5. On the other hand, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the bail petition on the ground that the total amount involved in the case is approximately Rs.70 lakhs, and the petitioner, along with others, cheated innocent villagers under the guise of a scheme. Despite collecting their hard-earned money, the petitioner has neither returned the amount nor has the money been traced till date. The investigation is not yet complete. Therefore, at this stage, the petitioner is not entitled to the grant of bail.

6. In light of the submissions made by both learned counsel and upon perusal of the material available on record, it reveals that although the petitioner has remained in judicial custody since 04.07.2025, the Investigating Officer has stated that the petitioner cheated a large number of innocent persons and the proceeds of the crime have not been traced. Therefore, at this stage, the petitioner, being the prime accused, is not entitled to the grant of bail.

7. Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is dismissed.

Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall also stand closed.

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K. SUJANA, J Date: 26.08.2025 sa