IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.901 OF 2026 DATE :11.02.2026 Between :

Odepally Mahender … Petitioner/Accused And The State of Telangana, Through P.S.Miyapur, Through its Public Prosecutor High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad … Respondent : ORDER :

This criminal petition is filed under Section 480 & 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) by the petitioner/Accused seeking his enlargement on bail in connection with Crime No.1919 of 2025 of Miyapur Police Station, Cyberabad District. The offences alleged against the petitioner are under Section 85, 126(2), 118(1) r/w.3 (5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and under Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act.

2. The facts of the case are that the defacto complainant lodged a complaint on 22.12.2025 before police stating that in the year 2019, she performed the marriage of her daughter, Odepally Kalyani, aged 28 years, with the petitioner who is working as software employee, in the presence of elders. At the time of marriage, they gave 20 tulas of gold and household articles as dowry. After the marriage, her daughter and son-in-law lived in her house for about six months. Thereafter, they shifted to a rented house near her residence and from then petitioner started harassing her daughter both physically and mentally. In the year 2020, her daughter was blessed with a male child. During the COVID-19 pandemic period, they shifted to the petitioner’s native village, Raghavapur and even there, petitioner continued his harassment. Later, they shifted to HMT, Miyapur, but his behaviour did not change. Due to his continuous harassment, a case was filed at Neredmet Police Station and subsequently, the matter was compromised in the presence of elders. On 16.12.2025, at about 11:00 hours, her daughter telephoned her and informed that the petitioner had been beating her for the past three days and had not provided food to her or the children. Immediately, the complainant sent her son Shiva to her daughter’s house and brought her to her house and from that day her daughter suffered from high fever and was given treatment at a nearby clinic. On 20.12.2025, she suddenly became unconscious and was immediately shifted to ECIL OXY Hospital for treatment. On 21.12.2025, she was shifted to Yashoda Hospital for better treatment, where the doctors examined her and informed that her condition was very serious. Hence, requested the police to take necessary action against the petitioner and his family members. Basing on the said complaint police registered the case against the accused for the above offences.

3. Heard Sri Bharadwaj Reddy Mothe, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner as well as Sri D.Arun Kumar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the allegations against the petitioner do not constitute physical or mental harassment for additional dowry. The deceased was suffering from ill health, which led to her death. No medical documents have been filed to show that the deceased died due to harassment by the petitioner. The complaint contains only general allegations, without any specific claims regarding a demand for additional dowry. The petitioner has been falsely implicated in this case merely because he did not heed complainant’s words. The investigation has been completed, except for the filing of the charge sheet. The petitioner has been in custody since 26.12.2025. Therefore, prayed this Court to grant regular bail to the petitioner.

5. On the other hand, learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed bail contending that the allegations against the petitioner are severe in nature. The petitioner herein harassed the deceased mentally and physically due to which she fell sick and died while undergoing treatment. Therefore, petitioner is not entitled for bail and prayed to dismiss thi