IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE K. SUJANA CRIMINAL PETITION No.1749 OF 2026 DATE : 25.02.2026 Between :

Nagegonda @ Naregudem Srikanth Reddy … Petitioner/A.1 And State of Telangana, Rep., by its Public Prosecutor, High Court for the State of Telangana, At Hyderabad … Respondent : ORDER :

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 praying this Court to grant bail to the petitioner in the event of his arrest in connection with Crime No.149 of 2025 of Zaheerabad (Rural) Police Station, Sanga Reddy District. The petitioner is arrayed as accused No.1 in the said crime and the offences alleged against him are under Section 80 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

2. The facts of the case are that on 26.11.2025, the defacto complainant lodged a complaint stating that his daughter Musan Swathi, was married to Naregonde Srikanth Reddy on 14.05.2025 at Zaheerabad, as per customs, with dowry of seven tulas of gold and Rs.1,00,000/- for household articles. After three months of marriage, the petitioner, his mother and sister began demanding an additional dowry of Rs.5,00,000/- for purchasing a flat. Despite repeated requests and assurances from the complainant and his family, the harassment continued. On 18.10.2025, the petitioner and his sister called the complainant, insisting that unless the additional dowry is paid, Swathi should be taken back to her parental home. Swathi was then brought back to Burdhipadu by her brother Saikiran Reddy. Since then, Swathi suffered severe mental stress, became depressed, and lost interest in life. On 26.11.2025 at around 12:00 noon, when no one was at home, she hanged herself to the ceiling fan in her bedroom. Her brother later found the door locked, broke it open, and discovered her hanging. She was immediately brought down and shifted to the hospital, where she was declared dead. Hence, complainant requested the police to take action against the accused. Basing on the said complaint police registered the case against the accused for the said offence.

3. Heard Smt V.Poornasri, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner and Sri M.Ramachandra Reddy, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent - State.

4. The contention of learned counsel for the petitioner is that prior to the incident the deceased left the matrimonial home and was residing with her parents and petitioner had no occasion to instigate, aid or provoke her in any manner. All the allegations are omnibus, general and vague regarding dowry demand without specific instances or specific dates. He further contended that for abetment to suicide, there must be clear, cogent, intentional and proximate instigation and that general quarrels in a married life do not constitute abetment. The petitioner has been implicated in this case only because they were not on good terms. The deceased was in her parental home long before the incident, moreover petitioner never harassed the deceased or her family members for additional dowry. The deceased left the company of petitioner on 18.10.2025 to adjust herself with the new life and what happened at her paternal home is not known to the petitioner. There is no incriminating evidence against the petitioner, as such prayed this Court to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. On the other hand, learned Additional Public Prosecutor vehemently opposed bail stating that due to the harassment of the petitioner and his family members for additional dowry the deceased committed suicide within six months of the marriage. According to the complainant, petitioner herein called the deceased and harassed for additional dowry. The allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature. As such, petitioner is not entitled for bail and prayed to dismiss this petition.

6. Considering the submissions made and the material on record the allegation against the petitioner herein is tha