This guide explains general procedure and is not legal advice. The correct forum and remedy depend on the facts and the record of each case.
Quash petitions in Telangana: only the High Court
A petition to quash an FIR, charge sheet or criminal proceeding under Section 528 BNSS (formerly Section 482 CrPC) is filed only before the Telangana High Court at Hyderabad, whichever district the FIR was registered in. The district court does not hear quash petitions. Writ petitions under Article 226 are also filed in the High Court.
Anticipatory bail petitions: Sessions Court or High Court
Under Section 482 BNSS (formerly Section 438 CrPC), an anticipatory bail petition may be filed before the Sessions Court of the district where the case is registered, or before the Telangana High Court. Both courts have this power; ordinarily the Sessions Court is approached first, and the High Court may be approached if it is refused.
Regular bail petitions after arrest
After arrest, bail is first sought before the Magistrate (Section 480 BNSS) or the Sessions Court (Section 483 BNSS) of the district concerned. If refused, a bail petition may be filed in the Telangana High Court, where it is generally registered as a Criminal Petition.
Districts of Telangana covered by the Telangana High Court
The Telangana High Court hears quash, bail and anticipatory bail petitions arising from all 33 districts of the State, including FIRs registered by the Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Rachakonda, Warangal, Karimnagar, Ramagundam, Khammam, Nizamabad and Siddipet police commissionerates:
Adilabad · Bhadradri Kothagudem · Hanumakonda · Hyderabad · Jagtial · Jangaon · Jayashankar Bhupalpally · Jogulamba Gadwal · Kamareddy · Karimnagar · Khammam · Kumuram Bheem Asifabad · Mahabubabad · Mahabubnagar · Mancherial · Medak · Medchal-Malkajgiri · Mulugu · Nagarkurnool · Nalgonda · Narayanpet · Nirmal · Nizamabad · Peddapalli · Rajanna Sircilla · Ranga Reddy · Sangareddy · Siddipet · Suryapet · Vikarabad · Wanaparthy · Warangal · Yadadri Bhuvanagiri
For a matter from outside Hyderabad, a copy of the FIR, any notice received from the police and earlier court orders can be shared by WhatsApp or email before a meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can an FIR from Warangal or Nizamabad be quashed in Hyderabad?
- Yes. The Telangana High Court sits at Hyderabad and hears quash petitions for FIRs registered anywhere in Telangana.
- Should anticipatory bail be filed in the district or the High Court?
- Both the district Sessions Court and the High Court can grant anticipatory bail. The choice depends on the facts and the stage of the case; usually the Sessions Court is approached first.
- Do I need to travel to Hyderabad for a High Court petition?
- Not always. Documents can often be reviewed remotely, though signatures, affidavits and notarisation may require a visit.