APHC010106332026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3396] MONDAY,THE NINTH DAY OF MARCH TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE DR. JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 1662/2026 Between: 1. AKULA NARESH, S/O. AKULA RAJA RAO,AGED ABOUT 37 YEARS, EMPLOYEE IN AIR FORCE,R/O. D.NO.22, DC-4, AMBATTUR,TIRUVALLUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU. 2. AKULA RAJA RAO, S/O. RAMULU,AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, R/O. D.NO.22DC-4, I.A.F., AMBATTUR,TIRUVALLUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU. 3. AKULA SRIDEVI, W/O. RAJA RAO,AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS. HOUSE WIFE,R/O. D.NO.22, DC-4, MUTHAPUDUPETA,AMBATTUR, TIRUVALLUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU. 4. AKULA RAJESH, S/O. AKULA RAJA RAO,AGED ABOUT 28 YEARS, PRIVATE EMPLOYEE,D.NO.1-20, M.K.NAGAR, MUTHAPUDUPETA,AMBATTUR, TIRUVALLUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU. 5. AKULA RAJESWARI, D/O. RAJA RAO CHINTHAPALLI RAMAAGED ABOUT 33 YEARS, R/O. D.NO.22, DC-3,MUTHAPUDUPETA, AMBATTUR,TIRUVALLUR DISTRICT, NAMIL NADU. ...PETITIONER/ACCUSED(S) AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESHAMARAVATI. 2. THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, PEDAPADU POLICE STATION,PEDAPADU,WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT, A.P. ...RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT(S): Counsel for the Petitioner/accused(S): 1. B MURALI MOHAN Counsel for the Respondent/complainant(S): 1. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR The Court made the following: ORDER: The instant Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, by the Petitioners / Accused Nos.1 to 5 seeking anticipatory bail in connection with Crime No.299 of 2025 on the file of Pedapadu Police Station, Eluru District for the offences under Sections 85 2 read with 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. 2. Sri B.Murali Mohan, learned counsel for the Petitioners would submit that the offences alleged against the Petitioners are punishable with less than seven years period of imprisonment and Police may be directed to follow the procedure contemplated under Section 35(3) of BNSS. 3. Ms.K.Priyanka Lakshmi, learned Public Prosecutor fairly conceded the same and would submit that a direction may be given to the Police to follow the procedure contemplated under Section 35(3) of BNSS Act since the offences are punishable with an imprisonment of below seven years. 4. Considering the submissions, this Criminal Petition is disposed of with the following; a. Investigating Officer is at liberty to complete the investigation, in accordance with law. b. In the event of any coercive action sought to be taken against the Petitioners, concerned Police Authorities are directed to scrupulously follow the procedure prescribed under Section 35(3) of BNSS and the guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar1, which is reiterated in in Satender Kumar Antil vs. CBI and another2. Pending applications, if any, shall stands closed. ________________________________________ Dr.JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA Date:09.03.2026 Note: Issue C.C today B/o. Dinesh 1 (2014) 8 SCC 273 2 2026 INSC 115 3 HON’BLE DR. JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA Crl.P.No.1662 of 2026 Dt.09.03.2026 Dinesh