Telangana HC issues ruling on YSRCP spokesperson Syamala’s case

The case pertains to Syamala’s alleged role in promoting a controversial betting application.

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Justice N. Tukaramji delivered a key ruling in a Criminal Revision Petition concerning television anchor and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) spokesperson Syamala. The case revolved around the legality of registering multiple FIRs for the same incident, a contentious issue under Indian criminal jurisprudence.

---

Syamala filed the case challenging the registration of a second FIR at the Cybercrime Police Station. Her counsel argued that one FIR based on the same facts and allegations had already been registered earlier at the Punjagutta Police Station.

The case pertains to Syamala’s alleged role in promoting a controversial betting application. Citing the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in TT Antony v. State of Kerala, Syamala’s counsel contended that registering multiple FIRs for the same cognizable offence violates Articles 20 and 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantee protection against double jeopardy and ensure due process of law.

The Public Prosecutor (PP), however, submitted that the original case was transferred to the Crime Investigation Department (CID), and was now designated as the lead case. The second FIR, according to the PP, was filed as part of a procedural continuation of the investigation.

After hearing both sides, Justice Tukaramji disposed of the revision petition, with a direction that Syamala shall continue to cooperate with the investigation under the first FIR only. It was also clarified that in connection with the second FIR, she may only be treated as a witness, not as an accused.