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2024 DAILYLAW 1823 (AP)

BOLLINENI SRINIVASARAO v. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

CRLP/3729/2026 · 2026-05-05

Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa

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Judgment text

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APHC010236862026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH (Special Original Jurisdiction) WEDNESDAY,THE SIXTH DAY OF MAY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION NO: Between: 1. BOLLINENI SRINIVASARAO, S/O LAKSHMIPATHI, AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS, R/O 1-112/A, LINGALAPADU VILLAGE, KRISHNA DISTRICT. 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, THROUGH STATION HOUSE OFFICER, NANDIGAMA POLICE ITS PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI. 2. JAMEEL AHAMED MOHAMMAD, S/O ABDUL GANI, AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS, OCC POLICE OFFICER, R/O PENUGANCHIPROLU, PENUGANCHIPROLU MANDAL, NTR DISTRICT. 521185 Petition under Section 437/438/439/482 of Cr.P.C and 528 of BNSS praying that in the circumstances stated in the Memorandum of Grounds of Criminal Petition, the High Courtmay be pleased to quash the proceedings in C.C No. 441/2024, On the file of the Additional Judicial First Magistrate, Nandigama for the offences under Sections 353, 341, 143, r/w 149 IPC to the extent of petitioner is concerned in the interest of justice. IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 482 o circumstances stated in the Memorandum of Grounds of Criminal Petition,the High Court may be pleased pleased to dispense with the filing of the certified 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) WEDNESDAY,THE SIXTH DAY OF MAY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 3729/2026 BOLLINENI SRINIVASARAO, S/O LAKSHMIPATHI, AGED ABOUT 51 112/A, LINGALAPADU VILLAGE, KRISHNA DISTRICT. ...PETITIONER/ACCUSED AND THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, THROUGH STATION HOUSE OFFICER, NANDIGAMA POLICE STATION, NTR DISTRICT REP.BY ITS PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH JAMEEL AHAMED MOHAMMAD, S/O ABDUL GANI, AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS, OCC POLICE OFFICER, R/O PENUGANCHIPROLU, PENUGANCHIPROLU MANDAL, NTR DISTRICT. 521185 ...RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT(S): Petition under Section 437/438/439/482 of Cr.P.C and 528 of BNSS praying that in the circumstances stated in the Memorandum of Grounds of Criminal Petition, the High Courtmay be pleased to quash the proceedings in /2024, On the file of the Additional Judicial First Magistrate, Nandigama for the offences under Sections 353, 341, 143, r/w 149 IPC to the extent of petitioner is concerned in the interest of justice. Petition under Section 482 of Cr.P.C and 528 of BNSS praying that in the circumstances stated in the Memorandum of Grounds of Criminal Petition,the High Court may be pleased pleased to dispense with the filing of the certified IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH [3396] THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA BOLLINENI SRINIVASARAO, S/O LAKSHMIPATHI, AGED ABOUT 51 112/A, LINGALAPADU VILLAGE, KRISHNA DISTRICT. ...PETITIONER/ACCUSED THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, THROUGH STATION HOUSE STATION, NTR DISTRICT REP.BY ITS PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH JAMEEL AHAMED MOHAMMAD, S/O ABDUL GANI, AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS, OCC POLICE OFFICER, R/O PENUGANCHIPROLU, RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT(S): Petition under Section 437/438/439/482 of Cr.P.C and 528 of BNSS praying that in the circumstances stated in the Memorandum of Grounds of Criminal Petition, the High Courtmay be pleased to quash the proceedings in /2024, On the file of the Additional Judicial First-Class Magistrate, Nandigama for the offences under Sections 353, 341, 143, r/w 149 IPC to the extent of petitioner is concerned in the interest of justice. f Cr.P.C and 528 of BNSS praying that in the circumstances stated in the Memorandum of Grounds of Criminal Petition,the High Court may be pleased pleased to dispense with the filing of the certified 2 copy of the charge sheet in C.C No. 441 /2024, On the file of the Additional Judicial First-Class Magistrate, Nandigama for time being period in the interest of Justice. IA NO: 2 OF 2026 Petition under Section 482 of Cr.P.C and 528 of BNSS praying that in the circumstances stated in the Memorandum of Grounds of Criminal Petition,the High Court may be pleased pleased to grant stay of all further proceedings in C.C No. 441 /2024, On the file of the Additional Judicial First-Class Magistrate, Nandigama for the offences under Sections 353, 341, 143, r/w 149 IPC pending disposal of the above Criminal Petition in the interest of Justice. Counsel for the Petitioner/accused: 1. VELADI SAI SRI HARSHA Counsel for the Respondent/complainant(S): 1. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR The Court made the following: 3 THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 3729/2026 ORDER: The instant Criminal Petition under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short ‘BNSS’) has been filed by the Petitioner/ Accused No.10 seeking to quash the proceedings against him in C.C.No.441 of 2024 on the file of the Court of Additional Judicial First Class Magistrate, Nandigama for the offences under Sections 353, 341 and 143 read with 149 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short ‘IPC’). 2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that, on 28.02.2017, a bus belonging to Divakar Travels met with an accident near Mundlapadu Crossroad, resulting in the death of ten persons, including the driver. After conducting the inquest and autopsy, the de facto complainant, along with others, was escorting an ambulance carrying one of the deceased bodies for the purpose of handing it over to the family members. At that time, the Petitioners and other Accused allegedly stopped the ambulance, stating that their leader, Y.S.Jagan Mohan Reddy, was on his way and requested them to wait until his arrival. 3. Heard Sri Veladi Sai Sri Harsha, learned counsel for the Petitioner and Ms.K.Priyanka Lakshmi, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor for the State. The notice which was sent to Respondent No.2 was returned as refused. 4. Learned counsel for the Petitioner would submit that the allegations levelled against the Petitioner are false and baseless. It is contended that the 4 respondent-police have falsely implicated the Petitioner by adopting a pick and choose method, which is unknown to criminal jurisprudence. Learned counsel would further submit that the investigation is neither fair nor transparent and appears to be a mere table exercise. Material contradictions in the charge sheet, including discrepancies regarding preparation of a rough sketch, clearly demonstrate the arbitrary approach of the investigating agency. It is also contended that the police have improved their version during investigation by introducing facts not found in the complaint, particularly regarding identification of the Petitioner, which is an afterthought. Learned counsel would submit that there is absolutely no prima facie material against the Petitioner, as the charge sheet does not disclose as to who identified him, nor does it attribute any specific overt act. It is submitted that the implication of the Petitioner is politically motivated. It is further contended that the respondent police failed to establish the identity, role, or involvement of the Petitioner, and have not conducted the investigation in accordance with law. Even if the allegations are taken at face value, no offences are made out. The essential ingredients of the alleged offences are not attracted against the Petitioner. Learned counsel for the Petitioner would submit that the on Accused No.2,7,9 and 15 the case was already quashed in this crime by this Court vide Order dated 02.04.2026. Hence, prayed for quashment of the proceedings against the Petitioner/Accused No.10. 5 5. Per contra, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor would submit that the allegations made by the Petitioner is untenable and contrary to the material placed on record. It is contended that the investigation has been conducted in a fair and lawful manner, and the charge sheet is filed based on credible evidence collected during the course of investigation. It is further submitted that the contentions regarding contradictions and alleged improvements are matters of trial and cannot be adjudicated in proceedings seeking quashment. Learned Assistant Public Prosecutor would contend that the charge sheet clearly discloses prima facie material against the Petitioners, including their identification and involvement in the commission of the offence. At this stage, a meticulous examination of evidence is impermissible. It is also submitted that the plea of political motivation is bald and unsupported by any material. Hence, prayed for dismissal of the petition. 6. The power of this Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C. is to be exercised to prevent abuse of process of law and to secure the ends of justice. While exercising such power, this Court is required to examine whether the allegations made in the complaint and the material collected during investigation, even if taken at face value, constitute the offences alleged. 7. In the present case, a keen perusal of the material on record reveals that the complaint does not disclose the names or identity of the Petitioners. The charge sheet also does not clearly indicate as to who identified the Petitioners or the manner in which their identity was established. The alleged identification during the course of investigation, without any supporting 6 material, appears to be an improvement over the version given in the complaint. 8. Further, no specific overt acts are attributed to the Petitioner except a vague and omnibus allegation that he, along with others, stopped the ambulance. Such general and bald allegations, in the absence of clear and cogent material, are insufficient to proceed against the Petitioner. The contention of the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor that these are matters for trial cannot be accepted in the facts of the present case, as the very foundation of the prosecution case against the Petitioners is lacking. 9. Insofar as the alleged contradictions and improvements are concerned, they go to the root of the matter, particularly when the identity and involvement of the Petitioner is not established even prima facie. In view of the above circumstances, this Court is of the considered opinion that the proceedings against the Petitioner cannot be sustained. 10. Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is allowed, and the proceedings against the Petitioner/Accused Nos.10 in C.C.No.441 of 2024 on the file of the Court of Additional Judicial First Class Magistrate, Nandigama, are herby quashed. Pending applications, if any, shall stand closed. ________________________________________ Dr.JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA Date:06.05.2026 KKV 7 THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 3729/2026 Date:06.05.2026 KKV