Telangana High Court denies actor Mohan Babu interim bail in scribe attack case

Telangana High Court held that no interim relief could be granted till the Police filed a counter affidavit in the case against actor Mohan Babu and denied the plea for grant of an anticipatory bail

Hyderabad: Justice K. Lakshman of the Telangana High Court on Friday refused to grant interim bail to actor and former Member of Parliament, Manchu Mohan Babu, who is accused of attacking a media reporter.

Mohan Babu had approached the High Court with a lunch motion for anticipatory bail in connection with a case lodged against him for allegedly assaulting a reporter. The incident occurred while the reporter was covering a family dispute involving the actor’s son, Manoj, at the scene. The victim sustained severe injuries near the eye and ear and is currently being treated at Yashoda Hospital.

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During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Ashwini Kumar, argued that the police had wrongly altered the charges from grievous hurt to attempt to murder. He also pointed out that another judge of the High Court had granted time for the family to settle their dispute, implying that police intervention was unnecessary. However, Justice Lakshman questioned the validity of this claim, asking, “If police interference is not required, why did Mohan Babu file a police complaint against his younger son Manoj?”

The Additional Public Prosecutor, Jithernder Rao Veramalla, countered that the reporter had been invited to the scene by Manoj and was attacked by the petitioner while covering the situation. Justice Lakshman stated that the court would pass orders only after giving the police an opportunity to file their counter. The case was adjourned to December 19 for further proceedings.