Telugu actor Mohan Babu granted anticipatory bail by Supreme Court in journalist assault case

A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah made the order of January 9, 2025, granting him interim protection as absolute, subject to him cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to Telugu actor Manchu Mohan Babu in a for assaulting a TV journalist. Babu allegedly threw a wireless mic upon the victim, resulting in grievous injuries to him.

A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah made the order of January 9, 2025, granting him interim protection as absolute, which was subject to him cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

The petitioner is an accused in a case registered at Pahadishareef Police Station, Rachakonda Commissionerate, Telangana, for offences punishable under Section 118(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 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.

He challenged the validity of the High Court's order of December 23, 2024 denying him any relief into the matter.

After hearing the counsel, the bench said in its order, "Considering the totality of the matter and the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the opinion that custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Hence, the order dated 09.01.2025, granting interim protection to the petitioner should be made absolute. Therefore, we grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

His counsel had earlier submitted that the incident happened in the heat of moment when he threw 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.