Mohan Babu journalist assault case: Supreme Court grants protection to Telugu actor

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has granted protection to Telugu actor Manchu Mohan Babu from any coercive action in a case related to an attempt to murder a TV journalist, when he allegedly threw a wireless mic at the victim, resulting in grievous injuries to him.

A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Prashant Kumar Mishra issued notice to the state government and the journalist on his plea challenging validity of the High Court's order of December 23, denying him any relief into the matter.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the incident happened in the heat of the moment when he threw a mic after his estranged son barged into his house along with a group of media persons.

He said the actor was ready to issue a public apology and compensate the complainant.

The counsel for the journalist, on the contrary, contended he had to undergo reconstruction surgery after sustaining injuries on his jaws. He claimed the actor had also come to hospital to threaten him.

On behalf of the actor, Rohatgi, however, said he is well known actor and not interested in killing anybody.

The court, while providing interim relief for four weeks, sought a response from the journalist if he was interested in getting compensation.

Mohan Babu sought anticipatory bail in connection with the case initially registered under Section 118 of the BNS for the attack on the journalist at his residence in Jalpally. Following legal advice, the police added Section 109 of BNS (attempt to murder) to the case.