APHC010231342026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3396] TUESDAY, THE FIFTH DAY OF MAY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE DR. JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 3634/2026 Between: JAGANNADHAM DHANALAKSHMI, D/O. VENKATESWARLU, AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, R/O. D.NO. 4-106-29, YENIMETTA, CHANDRA SEKHARA PURAM, PRAKASAM DISTRICT. ...PETITIONER/ACCUSED AND THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, THROUGH STATION HOUSE OFFICER, SODAM POLICE STATION, REP. BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT AT AMARAVATI-522239. ...RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT Counsel for the Petitioner/accused: 1. P NARASIMHULU Counsel for the Respondent/complainant: 1. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR The Court made the following: ORDER: The instant petition under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has been filed seeking to grant anticipatory bail to the Petitioner, in connection with Crime No.12 of 2026 on the file of Sodam Police Station, Annamayya District, which was registered for the offences under Sections 318(4) and 316(5) and 344 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. Heard Sri Narasimhulu Parise, learned counsel for the Petitioner and Ms.K.Priyanka Lakshmi, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor for State/Respondent. 2 3. Learned counsel for the Petitioner would submit that the Petitioners has deposited the alleged misappropriated amount. Learned counsel would further submit that it is not the case that she is guilty of the offence. Departmental enquiry has been initiated against the Petitioner and the same is pending. It is submitted that, under the threat of arrest, the Petitioner is not coming forward to attend the enquiry. 4. Learned Assistant Public Prosecutor opposed the petition. 5. Having regard to the submissions made on either side, the nature of allegations, the fact that the alleged amount has been deposited by the Petitioner, and taking into consideration the pendency of the departmental enquiry, this Court is of the opinion that limited protection can be granted to the Petitioner to enable her to participate in the enquiry proceedings. 6. Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is disposed of. Investigating Officer is at liberty to complete the investigation, in accordance with law. In the event of any coercive action sought to be taken against the Petitioner, concerned Police Authorities are directed to scrupulously follow the procedure prescribed under Section 35(3) of BNSS. The Petitioner shall cooperate with the investigation and make herself available for interrogation as and when required by the Investigating Officer. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case. As a sequel thereto, miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. ________________________________________ Dr.JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA Date:05.05.2026 Dinesh 3 THE HON’BLE DR. JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION No.3634 of 2026 DATE:05.05.2026 Dinesh