Matters we handle
- Regular bail and anticipatory bail applications
- Quashing of FIRs and criminal proceedings before the Telangana High Court
- Defence at trial before Magistrate and Sessions Courts
- Responding to police notices to appear
- Private complaints where the police do not register an FIR
- Criminal cases arising out of matrimonial disputes
- Criminal revisions and appeals
Where these matters are heard
- Metropolitan Magistrate Courts and Sessions Courts in Hyderabad
- Magistrate and Sessions Courts in Ranga Reddy and Medchal–Malkajgiri districts
- Telangana High Court
The law that applies
Offences committed on or after 1 July 2024 are governed by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), with procedure under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) and evidence under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA). Offences committed earlier are still charged under the Indian Penal Code, and proceedings already pending on that date generally continue under the old Code of Criminal Procedure.
Provisions used most often: anticipatory bail under BNSS section 482 (earlier CrPC section 438); bail in non-bailable offences under BNSS sections 480 and 483 (earlier sections 437 and 439); the High Court's inherent power to quash proceedings under BNSS section 528 (earlier section 482); and notice of appearance under BNSS section 35(3) (earlier section 41A).
How the process generally works
Share the documents
A copy of the FIR, complaint or notice, and a short account of events.
Assess the risk
Whether the offence is bailable, the likelihood of arrest and which court has jurisdiction.
File the right application
Bail, anticipatory bail, a quash petition or a reply, depending on the stage.
Hearing and conditions
Arguments before the court and compliance with any conditions imposed.
Next stages
Investigation, charge sheet and trial, with advice at each step.
Documents to keep ready
- Copy of the FIR or complaint
- Any police notice received
- Identity proof
- Earlier court orders, if any
- Documents or messages relevant to the allegations
Terms you may hear
- FIR
- First Information Report: the record the police make when they receive information about a cognizable offence.
- Station bail
- Release by the police at the police station itself, on bail, in bailable offences.
- Remand
- An order of the Magistrate sending an arrested person to police or judicial custody during investigation.
- Charge sheet
- The police report filed in court after investigation (BNSS section 193, earlier CrPC section 173), on which the trial is based.
- Quash petition
- A petition to the High Court to cancel an FIR or criminal proceedings.
- Section 41A / 35(3) notice
- A police notice asking a person to appear for questioning instead of arresting them.
Questions people ask
Someone has filed a false case against me. What should I do?
Do not ignore it and do not contact the complainant in a way that could be seen as pressure. Collect every document and message that shows your side, and take advice on whether you need anticipatory bail. If the FIR, even as written, does not disclose an offence, the High Court can be asked to quash it. Making a false charge with intent to injure is itself an offence under BNS section 248 (earlier IPC section 211).
A family member has been arrested. What are their rights?
The police must tell the arrested person the grounds of arrest (BNSS section 47) and inform a relative or friend (section 48). The person may meet an advocate during interrogation, though not throughout it (section 38), and must be produced before a Magistrate within 24 hours, excluding travel time (section 58).
Can a criminal case be settled or compromised?
Offences listed as compoundable in BNSS section 359 (earlier CrPC section 320) can be settled between the parties, some only with the court's permission. For non-compoundable offences, the High Court may quash proceedings after a genuine settlement in suitable cases, mainly private disputes, but not serious offences against society (Gian Singh v. State of Punjab, 2012).
Can I file an FIR at any police station?
Yes. Under BNSS section 173 an FIR for a cognizable offence can be registered at any police station, whatever the place of the offence, and then transferred to the station with jurisdiction. This is commonly called a Zero FIR. Information can also be given electronically, but it must be signed within three days.
What is anticipatory bail?
It is a direction that if you are arrested in connection with a particular case, you will be released on bail. It is sought before arrest from the Sessions Court or the High Court under BNSS section 482 (earlier CrPC section 438). The court looks at the nature of the accusation, your antecedents and whether you are likely to flee or interfere with the investigation.
The police will not register my FIR. What can I do?
You can send the complaint in writing to the Superintendent of Police or Commissioner of Police under BNSS section 173(4). If no action follows, you can approach the Magistrate under BNSS section 175(3) (earlier CrPC section 156(3)) seeking a direction to register and investigate.
Can an FIR be quashed?
The High Court can quash an FIR or criminal proceedings in limited situations, for example where the allegations, even if accepted, do not disclose an offence, or in certain matters where the parties have genuinely settled. Whether this is possible depends entirely on the facts and the offence involved.
I have received a notice to appear before the police. Will I be arrested?
A notice under BNSS section 35(3) is issued in cases where arrest is not considered necessary. If you comply with it and continue to cooperate, the law says you should not be arrested unless the police record reasons for doing so. Take advice before you appear.
My case is from before July 2024. Does the new law apply?
If the offence was committed before 1 July 2024, the Indian Penal Code continues to define the offence. Procedure depends on whether the matter was pending on that date. Your advocate will confirm which law applies to each step.
This page gives general information about the law as it stands and is not legal advice. The right course in any matter depends on its facts.
Last updated: September 2026.