Telangana HC Grants One-Day Escort Bail To NIA Accused For Father's Funeral; Says Trial Court Ignored Material On Customary Ceremony

The Telangana High Court has granted one-day interim (escort) bail to an accused in an NIA case to enable him to perform the 15th day funeral rites of his father, holding that the trial court failed to consider material placed on record regarding customary ceremonies by refusing extension of interim bail. A Division Bench of Justice K. Lakshman and Justice B.R. Madhusudhan Rao observed:“The appellant… specifically contended that with regard to the performance of 15th day ceremony… the rituals to perform on the said date… are not considered by the learned Designated Court… The appellant also filed Memorial Service Card… Therefore, we are inclined to grant interim bail… for a period of one day i.e., 14.03.2026.”Allowing the criminal appeal, the Court set aside the order of the Designated Court which had refused extension of interim bail.The appeal was filed under Section 21 of the National Investigation Agency Act read with Section 528 of the BNSS, challenging the order dated 12.03.2026 passed by the IV Additional Sessions Judge, Hyderabad.The appellant, arrayed as Accused No.1 in an NIA case, had initially sought interim bail on the ground that his father had passed away on 28.02.2026 and he was required to perform final rites and customary ceremonies. The Designated Court had granted interim bail from 08.03.2026 to 12.03.2026 subject to conditions.Subsequently, the appellant sought extension of interim bail till 14.03.2026, contending that, as per his family's customary practices, ceremonies including the 15th day ritual required his presence. The application was dismissed by the Designated Court, leading to the present appeal.Before the High Court, the appellant submitted that the trial court had failed to consider specific averments regarding the 15th day ceremony and the rituals associated with it, including the memorial service and customary rites. It was also pointed out that a Memorial Service Card had been placed on record to substantiate the claim.Opposing the appeal, the NIA contended that in earlier proceedings, the appellant had only referred to ceremonies up to the 13th day, and that the subsequent request for extension was contrary to his earlier pleadings. It was argued that on this basis, the Designated Court had rightly rejected the application.Considering the rival submissions, the High Court noted that the appellant had indeed specifically raised the requirement of performing the 15th day ceremony, which had not been taken into account by the Designated Court. It therefore held that the impugned order suffered from non-consideration of relevant material.The Court also took note of logistical aspects, including that the appellant's village was about 140 kilometres from the prison, necessitating appropriate arrangements for his movement.Accordingly, the Court directed the prison authorities to provide escort bail, directing that the appellant be taken from jail at 6:00 AM on 14.03.2026 to perform the 15th day ceremony and be produced back by 7:00 PM the same day.The Court imposed strict conditions, including that the appellant shall not influence witnesses, commit any offence, or give interviews to media. It further directed that he “shall only be allowed to attend the aforesaid 15th day ceremony… without giving any interviews to any media people,” and that no slogans be raised during the ceremony.With these directions, the criminal appeal was allowed.Case Title: Gade Innaiah @ Gade Inna Reddy v. State of TelanganaCase No.: Criminal Appeal No. 276 of 2026Appearance:– For Appellant: Sri Akhil Ennam Shetty (for Smt. Rajitha Kamatam)– For Respondent: Sri P. Vishnuvardhana Reddy, Special PP for NIAClick Here To Read/Download Order

Telangana HC Grants One-Day Escort Bail To NIA Accused For Father's Funeral; Says Trial Court Ignored Material On Customary Ceremony

Ananya Tangri

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