Justice K Sujana reserves order on YS Bhaskar Reddy bail plea

The Telangana High Court reserved its order on Y.S. Bhaskar Reddy’s plea seeking relaxation of a bail condition barring his entry into Andhra Pradesh, amid opposition citing concerns over witness influence and ensuring a fair trial.

Hyderabad: Justice K Sujana of the Telangana High Court on Monday reserved orders on a petition filed by YS Bhaskar Reddy seeking relaxation of a bail condition that restrains him from entering the State of Andhra Pradesh in connection with the murder case of former minister YS Vivekananda Reddy.

The petition was opposed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the victim’s daughter, Dr. Narreddy Suneetha Reddy, who raised concerns over possible influence on witnesses if the restriction is lifted.

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Appearing for the petitioner, counsel Uma Maheshwar Rao submitted that the FIR in the case dates back to 2019 and questioned the continued restriction on his client’s movement even in 2026.

He argued that the petitioner, aged about 75 years, requires access to his residence, agricultural lands and family affairs in Kadapa district. It was further contended that the circumstances prevailing at the time of grant of bail had since changed, and pointed out that no such restriction was imposed on his son, Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy.

Opposing the plea, Special Public Prosecutor for CBI, Srinivas Kapatia and counsel S Goutham for the daughter of S Vivekananda Reddy, victim, submitted that permitting Bhaskar Reddy to enter Andhra Pradesh at this stage could adversely impact the trial.

It was argued that there exists a real apprehension of witness influence, particularly when the case is on the verge of trial.

They further pointed out that the petitioner was granted bail primarily on medical grounds, and questioned the present request seeking permission to reside in Andhra Pradesh for agricultural activities.

It was also brought to the court’s notice that some witnesses in the case have already died, underscoring the sensitivity of the matter.

Referring to earlier instances, the prosecution submitted that even in the case of another accused, limited permission to enter Andhra Pradesh was granted only for a short duration on specific grounds, and not as a general relaxation.

In reply to the query from bench about the reduced influence due to change in political dispensation, counsel S. Goutham contended that the crime occurred when the accused were not in power and that the petitioner son YS Avinash Reddy is the present MP of Kadapa and has significant influence.

Further pointed out how the officers in the case were compromised including filing false cases against the to build an alternative narrative against in the murder case. It is pointed out that, restriction from entering the state of AP was specifically imposed against Bhaskar Reddy and D Shiva Shankar Reddy after considering their role and influence in the case.

The condition specifically imposed for ensuring a fair trial, if relaxed now would against the purpose for which it was imposed, the victim counsel stressed.

Further, the need for witness protection, the need for delicate balance between the rights of the accused and the right of the victim for a fair and impartial trial was sought to be considered while considering the relaxation application. After hearing both sides at length, Justice Sujana reserved orders on the petition.