Nyapathy Vijay, J
1. This Criminal Petition, under Section 482 of B.N.S.S. has been filed by the petitioners herein/A2 to A5, seeking anticipatory bail, in Crime No.468 of 2023 of Rajanagarm Police Station, East Godavari District registered for the offences punishable under Sections 498A, 354, 386 read with 34 I.P.C., Sections 3 & 4 of D.P.A. and Section 67 I.T.A., 2000-2008.
2. Heard Sri K.Satyanandam, learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Assistant Public Prosecutor for the respondent/State.
3. Perused the record.
4. The de facto complainant is the wife of A1 in the present crime. As per the complaint, they got married on 31.05.2023 as arranged by the elders of their respective families. Thereafter, the complainant lived for a short while after marriage with her husband and had returned to Rajahmundry due to Ashadam Season. After completion of the Ashadam Season, husband/A1 had come to Rajahmundry on 02.09.2023, and took the complainant to her in-laws place on 04.09.2023 and stayed there till 21.09.2023.
5. The allegation in the complaint is substantially directed against A1, wherein it was alleged that he has been harassing the de facto complainant for having physical intimacy with the friends of A1, i.e., Eshwara Rao and Azmat. Insofar as the petitioners herein/A2 to A5 are concerned, the only allegation is that they threatened the de facto complainant to act as per the instructions of A1 and if not, they would kill her. Except the said allegation, there is no allegation against the petitioners herein/A2 to A5. This allegation appears to be general in nature with no details of the date and time of the said incident. Further, the time period in which the de facto complainant had stayed with the petitioners herein/A2 to A5 is for a short period, i.e., from 4th September, 2023 to about fourth week of September, 2023.
6. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioners herein/A2 to A5 are entitled for anticipatory bail.
7. Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is allowed with the following conditions:
i. In the event of arrest of the petitioners herein/A2 to A5, they shall be enlarged on bail on their executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/-(Rupees Ten Thousand only) each with two sureties for the like sum each to the satisfaction of the concerned arresting/ Investigating Officer.
ii. The petitioners shall co-operate with the investigation and they shall not threaten the de facto complainant or any of her family members.
As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions, if any pending, shall stand closed.
