APHC010153602026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3396] MONDAY, THE THIRTIETH DAY OF MARCH TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE DR. JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 2341/2026 Between: 1. RISHIKANTH GUPTA, S/O. MOHANLAL GUPTA,AGED 55 YEARS. ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT - FINANCE,A.P. PAPER MILLS LTD, R/O. ANDHRA PAPER MILLS OFFICERS COLONYSHRAM NAGAR, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM,EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT - 533105 2. VIJAY KUMAR SANKU, S/O. SATYNARAYAN SANKU,AGED 54 YEARS. SECRETARY, A.P. PAPER MILLS LTDR/O. ANDHRA PAPER MILLS OFFICERS COLONY,SHRAM NAGAR, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM,EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT - 533105 ...PETITIONER/ACCUSED(S) AND THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER,III TOWN POLICE STATION, RAJAHMUNDRY,EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT,REP. BY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH, AMARAVATHI. ...RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT Counsel for the Petitioner/accused(S): 1. VARREY VENKATA NAGA VISHNU TEJA Counsel for the Respondent/complainant: 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.3 and 4 seeking anticipatory bail in connection with Crime No.70 of 2026 on the file of III Town Police Station, Rajahmundry, East Godavari District for the offences under Sections 316(5), 338, 336(3), 340(2) and 61(2) read with 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2 2. Ms.V.V.N.V.Teja, learned counsel for the Petitioners would submit that the Petitioners herein are the Employer’s Trustees and they are innocents of the offences alleged against them. Learned counsel would further submit that this Court vide Order dated 12.03.2026 in Crl.P.No.1786 of 2026 granted protection to Accused No.1 directing the Police to follow the procedure contemplated under Section 35(3) of BNSS and the same protection may be given to the present Petitioners also. 3. Ms.K.Priyanka Lakshmi, learned Public Prosecutor fairly conceded the same and would submit that the Court may pass appropriate orders. 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. c. Petitioners shall cooperate with the investigation and furnish information / material documents whatever available / required to the investigating agency. Pending applications, if any, shall stands closed. ________________________________________ Dr.JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA Date:30.03.2026 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.2341 of 2026 Dt.30.03.2026 Dinesh