Telangana HC rejects anticipatory bail plea of ex-Jubilee Hills Inspector in sexual harassment case

The Telangana High Court on Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of former Jubilee Hills Inspector U. Srinivasulu Reddy, accused of sexual harassment in a case registered at Ameenpur Police Station. The court accepted the State’s contention that custodial interrogation was necessary, citing serious allegations including sexual assault, intimidation, and misuse of official position.

By Our Legal Correspondent 

Hyderabad: Justice N. Tukaramji of the Telangana High Court on Friday rejected the anticipatory bail petition filed by former Jubilee Hills Inspector U. Srinivasulu Reddy, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment in a case registered at Ameenpur Police Station under the Cyberabad Commissionerate. 

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Senior Counsel T. Niranjan Reddy appearing for the petitioner sought anticipatory bail and disputed the allegations levelled against him. It was submitted that the petitioner had extended substantial financial assistance to the complainant and her family and that the dispute arose after he allegedly refused to meet further financial demands. 

The petitioner also contended that the allegations required examination in the light of the financial transactions between the parties. Opposing the plea, the State submitted that the allegations were grave and involved alleged sexual assault, intimidation, blackmail, extortion and misuse of the petitioner’s official position. 

The prosecution submitted that the investigation was still at a crucial stage and several aspects, including the alleged pregnancy and termination, hospital records, financial transactions, call detail records and electronic material, were yet to be verified. 

The State further submitted that custodial interrogation was required to confront the petitioner with the medical, electronic and financial material and to identify and secure relevant devices and communications. It was also apprehended that the petitioner could influence or intimidate the complainant and other witnesses or interfere with the collection of evidence, particularly in view of the allegations of repeated threats and attempts to force a compromise. 

After hearing both sides Justice N. Tukaramji rejected the plea.

 

High Court relief for KTR’s PRO, PA

Justice J. Sreenivas Rao of the Telangana High Court on Friday directed that no coercive action be taken against Manikya Mahesh, Media Coordinator and PRO to BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao, and Mahender Reddy, PA to KTR, in connection with the FIR registered against them at the Saifabad police station. 

The Court made it clear that the petitioners shall not be arrested until the State files its counter-affidavit and the matter is taken up for further hearing. 

The FIR was registered on a complaint lodged by Busaramoni Jangaiah, Reserve Inspector, CAR Headquarters, Petlaburj, Hyderabad, alleging that the petitioners verbally abused police personnel on duty at the main gate of the Assembly during the Assembly siege and protests held on September 7. 

During the hearing, the petitioners challenged the action of the police and sought protection from arrest. Justice Sreenivas Rao directed the State to file its counter-affidavit explaining the circumstances that led to the registration of the FIR. The Court thereafter adjourned the matter to September 21 for further hearing.