Whether you want to report an offence or are facing an FIR, the early steps in a criminal case shape everything that follows. This page explains the process in Hyderabad in plain terms.
In Hyderabad, a person arrested by the Hyderabad City Police and Cyberabad Police is produced before the Magistrate, and regular bail for most offences is first sought there. Criminal Lawyers in Hyderabad advise on the law, draft the papers and appear for you. Booking a first consultation with an enrolled advocate through Mara Vakil is free.
People in Hyderabad come to criminal advocates from both sides. Some want to make a complaint: the police have not registered an FIR for cheating, a family member has been assaulted, money has been taken on false promises, or a cheque has bounced. Others have been named in an FIR, sometimes over what began as a business or family quarrel, and want to know whether they will be arrested, how to respond to a police notice and whether the case can be quashed. Both sides need clear advice early, before positions harden.
Since 1 July 2024, offences are defined by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), procedure is governed by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) and evidence by the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA). Cheating, for example, is now Section 318 BNS (old Section 420 IPC), and criminal intimidation is Section 351 BNS (old Section 506 IPC). Cases registered before that date continue under the IPC and CrPC, which matters for every application made in them.
Under Section 173 BNSS (old Section 154 CrPC), the police must register information about a cognizable offence, and any station can register a Zero FIR and transfer it to the station with jurisdiction. The law also allows e-FIRs in some cases and a preliminary enquiry for certain offences punishable between three and seven years. If the police refuse to act, the complainant can approach the Commissioner and then the magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS (old Section 156(3)). For the accused, the High Court can quash proceedings under Section 528 BNSS (old Section 482 CrPC) in suitable cases.
Criminal cases from Hyderabad are tried before the Metropolitan Magistrate Courts, including those at Nampally and other complexes, for offences triable by a magistrate, and before the Metropolitan Sessions Court, Hyderabad, for serious offences that are committed to it. Private complaints, including cheque bounce complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, are filed before the magistrate having jurisdiction. The police station that registered the FIR, which may fall under the Hyderabad, Cyberabad or Rachakonda commissionerate, decides where the case lands.
A conviction or acquittal by a magistrate can be appealed to the Sessions Court, and an order of the Sessions Court to the Telangana High Court. Revision petitions lie against certain interim orders. The High Court also hears petitions to quash FIRs or charge sheets, transfer petitions and applications for bail after rejection below. Your advocate will confirm the correct court and the time limit for any appeal or revision.
Telangana High Court (Hyderabad)
Magistrate Courts and Sessions Courts; the High Court for quashing petitions and appeals
Telugu, Urdu, Hindi and English
Choose an advocate who regularly practises before the magistrate and sessions courts in Hyderabad and who can explain the charges, the likely procedure and the options in language you understand. Ask for the enrolment number and verify it with the Bar Council of Telangana. In a criminal matter it helps to be completely honest with your advocate, because surprises at trial are far harder to manage than difficult facts disclosed early.
Agree in writing what the fee covers, such as a bail application, the trial, a quashing petition or an appeal, because each is a separate piece of work. Fees depend on the advocate and the matter, and you should get receipts for every payment. Mara Vakil charges clients nothing to find or consult advocates; it helps you find an enrolled advocate and book a free consultation, and it does not give legal advice.
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Send a written complaint to the Commissioner of the commissionerate concerned, by post or in person, and keep proof. If there is still no action, an application can be made to the magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS asking for a direction to investigate. The magistrate may also take cognizance and proceed on the complaint directly. The application should be supported by an affidavit and show that the earlier steps were taken.
Yes, for a cognizable offence any police station must register a Zero FIR and transfer it to the station with jurisdiction. This helps when the offence happened elsewhere or you are unsure of the correct station. Ask for a copy of the Zero FIR and note the number, so that you can track the transfer and the investigation afterwards.
The Telangana High Court can quash an FIR or proceedings under Section 528 BNSS where the allegations, even if accepted, do not make out an offence, or where the case is an abuse of process. Some disputes that have been settled between the parties can also be quashed, depending on the offence. Serious offences against society are usually not quashed merely because the parties have compromised.
A complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act is filed before the magistrate having jurisdiction, generally where the payee's bank branch is. A legal notice must be sent within 30 days of the return memo, and the complaint filed within the time allowed after the notice period ends. Many such cases are settled midway, and the law allows compounding at different stages with costs.
Yes. Offences committed and cases registered before 1 July 2024 continue under the IPC and CrPC for most purposes. Your advocate will check the dates to decide which law applies to each application.
Eligible persons, including women, children, persons in custody and those below the income limit, can get free legal aid through the legal services authorities. Call 15100 to learn how to apply. Legal aid advocates are assigned by the authority, and you can raise concerns with the authority if you face difficulties with the assigned lawyer.
Other help in Hyderabad:
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Guide: Read the step-by-step guide
This page gives general information about the law in Hyderabad, Telangana. It is not legal advice and is not an advertisement or solicitation by any advocate. Laws and court practice change; confirm details with an advocate before acting. Mara Vakil is a technology platform, not a law firm. Read our disclaimer.
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