: ORDER :

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 seeking the Court to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the event of his arrest in connection with Crime No.61 of 2026 of Zaffargadh Police Station, Warangal District. The offences alleged against the petitioner are under Sections 296(b) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and under Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(1)(za) (C) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (for short ‘SC/ST Act’).

2. The brief facts of the case are that on 21.03.2026 at about 08:30 hours, when the complainant, Puli Sammaiah, an agriculturist and Sarpanch of Thimmapur village, along with other villagers, was discussing about arrangements for the Sri Rama Navami festival at the Gram Panchayat office, at that time, the accused, Ward Member of the 1st ward, picked up a quarrel with the complainant and allegedly abused him in filthy language by referring to his caste in the presence of villagers, questioning his right to conduct the festival and perform Pooja, and also threatened to assault him publicly if he performs Pooja. Hence, requested the police to take action against the accused, basing on which the police registered a case against the accused for the above offences.

3. Heard Ms. S.Mrudula, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Sri M.Ramachandra Reddy, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent – State.

4. The contention of learned counsel for the petitioner is that the petitioner is innocent of the said allegations and he is falsely implicated in this case keeping personal vengeance against him due to political rivalry. He further contended that the allegations in the complaint if taken at their face value, does not disclose prima-facie case, as such, the statutory bar under Section 18 of the SC/ST Act does not attract to the petitioner. He further contended that petitioner undertakes to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, prayed this Court to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. On the other hand, learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposed bail contending that the petitioner abused the complainant who is the Surpanch of village in the name of his caste with regard to Sri Ramanavami Celebrations. The petitioner is also involved in another crime and that the investigation is at initial stage. Hence, petitioner is not entitled to bail and prayed to dismiss this petition.

6. Considering the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and on perusal of the material available on record, the allegations in the complaint, prima facie, disclose that petitioner abused the complainant, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste and is the Sarpanch of the village, by referring to his caste in a public place in connection with Sri Rama Navami celebrations. At this stage, the contention of learned counsel for the petitioner that the provisions of the SC/ST Act are not attracted cannot be accepted. Further, as contended by the learned Additional Public Prosecutor, the petitioner is involved in another criminal case, which indicates his antecedents and as the investigation is also at initial stage, granting anticipatory bail at this juncture may hamper the investigation. Therefore, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner at this stage and the same is liable to be dismissed.

7. Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is dismissed.

Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed.