(Prayer: Petition under Section 437/438/439/482 of Cr.P.C and 528 of BNSS praying that in the circumstances stated in the Memorandum of Grounds of Criminal Petition, the High Court pleased to enlarge the petitioner on bail in connection with the F.I.R.No.5 of 2026 on the file of B.Mattam Police Station, YSR (Kadapa) District and pass)

1. This Criminal Petition, under Sections 480 and 483 of the BNSS, has been filed by the Petitioner herein/Accused No.3, seeking regular bail, in F.I.R.No.5 of 2026 on the file of B.Mattam Police Station, YSR (Kadapa) District, registered for the offences punishable under Section 143 (2) r/w 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (for short “BNS”) and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7(1) of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (for short “PIT Act”).

2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 11.01.2026, at 3:30 PM, in Room No.2D, Sri Virat Deluxe Residence Lodge, B.Mattam Town and Mandal, YSR Kadapa District, the A1 procured the victim by name Guddikondannagari Deepita and Gonuguntla Guravamma for prostitution and run prostitution at the said premises with the help of A3 to A5. Basing on the panchanama, the case was registered in Cr.No.5 of 2026 of B.Mattam Police Station, for the offences punishable under Sections 143(20 r/w 3(5) of BNS and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7(1) of PIT Act and later on 12.01.2026, the accused were arrested and produced before the Court for remand.

3. Heard Sri Shaik Mohammed Ismail, learned counsel for the petitioner/accused No.3 and Mrs.K.Priyanka Lakshmi, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor on behalf of the State.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner herein is Accused No.3 and has nothing to do with the alleged commission of the offence. He has been falsely implicated in the said crime. The petitioner has been in judicial custody since 11.01.2026. He further submits that the police have completed the investigation, except for filing of the charge sheet. It is also submitted that the petitioner is old age person aged about 75 years and has several age related ailments. There is no prima facie evidence to connect the petitioner with the alleged offence. The petitioner is only the owner of the said lodge. No victim has attributed any role of the petitioner. Learned counsel further submits that the petitioner is ready to furnish sureties to the satisfaction of the Court. Learned counsel for the petitioner finally prays for grant of regular bail to the petitioner.

5. Learned Assistant Public Prosecutor vehemently opposed the petition and submitted that the petitioner/Accused No.3, being the owner of the lodge, assisted A-1 in organizing the alleged prostitution, and that the investigation is still pending. She finally prays for dismissal of the petition.

6. Considering the submissions made by both sides and upon perusal of the material on record, it is alleged that the petitioner/Accused No.3, being the owner of the lodge, assisted the other accused in organizing prostitution. Taking into account the period of detention, the facts and circumstances of the case, the age of the petitioner (75 years), and the fact that his presence can be secured by imposing appropriate conditions, this Court is inclined to grant regular bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, the petitioner is entitled to be released on regular bail on the following conditions:

                  i. The petitioner/accused No.3 shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs. 20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) each with two sureties for a like sum each, to the satisfaction of the learned Additional Junior Civil Judge, Badvel.

                  ii. The petitioner/accused No.3 shall appear before the Investigating Officer as and when required and shall cooperate with further investigation, if any.

                  iii. The petitioner/accused No.3 shall not directly or indirectly tamper with evidence nor influence, intimidate, or induce any prosecution witness.

                  iv. The petitioner/accused No.3 shall appear before the Station House Officer, concerned, once in a week i.e., on every Saturday between 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. till further orders.

                  v. The petitioner/accused No.3 shall not commit or indulge in commission of any offence in future.

7. In the event of violation of any of the above conditions, the prosecution shall be at liberty to seek cancellation of bail.

8. It is also made clear that the observations made in this order are only for the purpose of deciding the bail application and they shall not be construed as opinion on the merits of the Crime.

9. Accordingly, this Criminal Petition is allowed.

As a sequel thereto, the miscellaneous applications, if any, pending in this Criminal Petition shall stand closed.