(1.) The present criminal petition is filed under Sec. 528 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (hereinafter 'BNSS') seeking to quash the criminal proceedings arising out of Crime No. 12/RCO- CIU-ACB/2024 dtd. 19/12/2024 registered by Respondent No. 1 (hereinafter 'ACB') under Ss. 409 r/w 120B of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter 'IPC') and Ss. 13(1)(a) r/w 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (hereinafter 'PCA').
(2.) Heard Mr. Siddharth Dave, learned Senior Advocate representing Mr. A. Prabhakar Rao, learned advocate appearing for the Petitioner. Also, heard Mr. A. Sudarshan Reddy, learned Advocate General representing Mr. T. Bala Mohan Reddy, learned Standing Counsel for the ACB i.e., Respondent No. 1 and Mr. C.V. Mohan Reddy, learned Senior Advocate representing Mr. Tera Rajinikanth Reddy, learned Additional Advocate General appearing for Respondent No. 2.
(3.) The impugned criminal proceedings i.e., Crime No. 12/RCO- CIU-ACB/2024 (hereinafter 'FIR') was registered based on the complaint lodged by Respondent No. 2 (hereinafter 'complainant'). It is relevant to note that the complainant herein is the current Principal Secretary to the Government of Telangana, Municipal Administration and Urban Development (hereinafter 'MA and UD') department.