APHC010629792025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3396] MONDAY, THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE DR. JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 12104/2025 Between: D. SREEDHAR REDDY, S/O. D. SURYA NARAYANA REDDY, AGED ABOUT 37 YEARS, OCC JOURNALIST R/O H.NO. 6-104, MAIN ROAD, A KOTHAPALLI, AMADAGUR, ANANTHAPUR, AP-515556 ...PETITIONER/ACCUSED AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, CHILAMATHUR POLICE STATION, SRI SATHYA SAI DISTRICT, THROUGH THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF A.P., AMARAVATI. 2. MADIGA SURYA NARAYANA, S/O. LATE NARAYANAPPA AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS, R/O. MARAVAKOTHAPALLI VILLAGE, CHILAMATHUR, SRI SATHYA SAI DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH - 515201 ...RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT(S): Counsel for the Petitioner/accused: 1. GAJJALA MALLIKARJUNA REDDY Counsel for the Respondent/complainant(S): 1. CH S V SURAJ 2. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR 3. LEGAL AID The Court made the following: ORDER: The instant Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, by the Petitioner / Accused No.1 seeking anticipatory bail in connection with Crime No.128 of 2025 on the file of Chilmathur Police Station, Sri Sathya Sai District for the offences under 2 Sections 115(2), 127(1), 351(2) read with 3(5) of BNS and Section 3(1)(r)(s) of SCs & STs (PoA) Act. 2. Sri G.Mallikarjuna Reddy, learned counsel for the Petitioner would submit that the offences alleged against the Petitioner 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. Sri K.Sandeep, learned Assistant 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 Petitioner, 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:16.02.2026 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.12104 of 2025 Dt.16.02.2026 Dinesh