HC rejects actor Mohan Babu’s anticipatory bail plea in journalist assault case

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Monday dismissed veteran actor Manchu Mohan Babu’s petition for anticipatory bail in the case involving an attack on a TV journalist.

The veteran actor had requested the court to grant anticipatory bail to him due to his ill health. The court was informed by his attorney that he was experiencing heart and nerve issues and is currently staying in Tirupati.

Mohan Babu visited Tirupati to oversee the operation of his educational institutes after recently travelling to Dubai to see his grandchild. The anticipatory bail petition, however, was rejected by the public prosecutor. Following the arguments, the court denied the anticipatory bail plea.

The High Court has given Mohan Babu until December 24 to appear before the police, and the commissioner stated that the police would follow its directives. A fresh notice would be sent out if Mohan Babu did not respond by December 24, the CP said.

Mohan Babu was charged with attempt to kill

The renowned actor, a former member of Parliament, was charged with an attempt to kill when he attacked a television journalist on December 10 during the chaos at his house in Jalpally, which was sparked by a dispute with his actor son, Manchu Manoj. After suffering injuries, the reporter was taken to a hospital.

Initially, Rachakonda Police filed a case against Mohan Babu under Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 118 (1) (causing harm with dangerous weapons or substances). Later, they added Section 109 (attempt to kill). Journalists had also protested, calling on the police to file a murder attempt case.

Mohan Babu apologized to the journalist and his news network TV9 after being admitted to the hospital that same evening with complaints of anxiousness and high blood pressure. He was discharged two days later. Along with his elder son, actor Manchu Vishnu, he paid a visit to the hospital on December 15 and spoke with the journalist. He also apologized to the journalist and his family members.

Infighting in the Manchu family

Earlier, Mohan Babu and his sons were charged with trespassing under BNS Sections 329 (4) (criminal trespass and house trespass) and 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt) read with 3 (5). On December 11, Rachakonda Commissioner of Police G Sudheer Babu summoned Mohan Babu and his sons. The veteran actor had petitioned for an exemption from the High Court.

Manchu Vishnu and his brother Manoj met Sudheer Babu separately at his office. The commissioner obtained an assurance from them that they would not take any action that would further escalate the situation. On December 16, the Police Commissioner claimed that any action against Mohan Babu in the cases filed against him had been delayed.

Police to issue notice to veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu

The police on Monday said a fresh notice would be served to veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu, who was earlier exempted by the Telangana High Court from appearing before the police for "probable breach of peace", till December 24.

Rachakonda police commissioner G Sudheer Babu told reporters that they would deal with the issue with firmness and as per law.

He was responding to a query on the plan of action with regard to the Mohan Babu case

"We will follow the process which is laid down. This issue will be dealt with firmness. Notices were issued to them under section 126 BNSS to bind them over. They sought time. There is a process. They can take time... He has got time till December 24, tomorrow. Again, notice will be issued. We will do as per the legal way," he said.

The family of Mohan Babu was recently in the news over alleged disputes in the family.