Telangana HC Breather for Former Sarpanch in Embezzlement Case
Justice J. Sreenivas Rao of the Telangana High Court stayed all criminal cases against a former Sarpanch accused of misappropriating Gram Panchayat funds.
The decision came while hearing a petition filed by Maheshwaram Sunitha, former Sarpanch of Puppalaguda, seeking quashing of a criminal case registered at Narsingi Police Station under Sections 409 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code.
The case was initiated on a complaint filed by the Divisional Panchayat Officer alleging misappropriation of Gram Panchayat funds during his tenure following district-level proceedings pointing to incomplete financial records.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the allegations had already been examined in departmental and Gram Panchayat Court hearings, which had established liability of ₹ 23.68 lakh for non-production of records without any finding of wrongdoing. It was noted that the amount in question was paid in January 2022.
The petitioner further alleged that the criminal complaint was filed mechanically, without independent investigation or material that would incriminate breach of trust or fraud. It was further argued that the case concerned only procedural defects in the keeping of records, without any element of dishonest intent or personal gain.
Taking into account the allegations, the Court stopped the continuation of the trial and instructed the State to take instructions.
Telangana HC Seeks Response to Chaitanya College Student Death Case
Hyderabad:
Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court sought response from the State and education authorities in a petition seeking compensation of ₹2 crore in connection with the alleged negligence of a 17-year-old student.
The petition was filed by Kukunuru Hanuman Srinivas, whose son, a second-year intermediate student of Sri Chaitanya Junior College in Nallakunta, died during an exam on December 26.
Allegedly, the college conducted a “slip test” in the early hours of the morning despite a government-declared holiday on Boxing Day, forcing students to take part.
The petitioner alleged that her son, who has a known heart condition, was repeatedly moved between the ground and fourth floor due to confusion in the examination room due to non-functional elevator services.
It was reported that the student collapsed at his desk as a result of his exertion. The claim also alleged a lack of trained personnel to perform CPR and a lack of emergency ambulance support, leading to a fatal delay in medical aid. He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The father also accused the university of ignoring his son’s medical condition, failing to provide emergency care and conducting exams under unnecessary academic pressure. It was also claimed that elevator services were stopped to reduce operational costs.
The defense stated that no response was received to the petition requesting a lawsuit and compensation on January 3. He also accused officials of failing to regulate the institution.
Advocate Abdul Azam Khan informed the Court that the Telangana State Board of Secondary Education has been directed to look into the matter and submit a report. The defendants asked for time to file their answers and the case was sent for further hearing.
Telangana HC Grants Preemptive Bail in Husband’s Suicide Case
Hyderabad:
The Telangana High Court granted anticipatory bail to a woman accused of abetting her husband’s suicide, observing that there was no prima facie evidence to support the claim.
The case pertains to an offense registered at Chatrinaka Police Station, Hyderabad, based on a complaint filed by the mother of the deceased.
According to the prosecution, the applicant had frequent marital disputes with her husband and allegedly assaulted her husband along with her relatives and subjected him to mental abuse. He also allegedly prevented her from meeting her children and carried on an illicit affair, which led her to depression and suicide.
The petitioner’s attorney argued that the allegations were false and did not meet the legal components of solicitation of suicide. It was also stated that the petitioner was willing to cooperate with the investigation.
The prosecution opposed the defense, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the ongoing investigation.
The court observed that the main allegation concerned denial of access to children and that, at this stage, there was no material to prove acts of instigation.
Accordingly, the Court ruled that he be released on bail and accepted his request for punishment.
