Date:27/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/27/stories/2008062761041200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Jyothi journalists get bail; to be released today

Staff Reporter

No question of abusing Manda Krishna, says defence counsel

Complaint filed only to harass scribes, says counsel
‘Complaint lodged many days after alleged abuse’

HYDERABAD: Andhra Jyothi Editor, K. Srinivas and reporters, M. Vamshi Krishna and T. Srinivas, who were arrested two days ago under provisions of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, were granted bail by a local court on Thursday.

The Sixth Additional Metropolitan Sessions-cum-Special Court judge, B.A. Prakasa Rao, granted the bail at 4 p.m. but the scribes could not be released from the Chanchalguda prison as formalities pertaining to furnishing sureties took a little longer. The judge directed that two sureties of Rs. 10,000 for each of the accused be furnished. The journalists would be released on Friday.

While Mr. Srinivas was granted unconditional bail, the two reporters were ordered to appear before the Jubilee Hills police Inspector every Monday between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Earlier, arguing for grant of bail, defence counsel D. Srinivas pointed out that the complaint was lodged several days after the alleged incident of abusing the complainant in the name of caste occurred. While the alleged incident took place on May 26, the police complaint was lodged on June 4.

Mr. Srinivas also drew the attention of the court to the fact that the MRPS leader had lodged his first complaint on May 28.

The second complaint was filed only to harass the journalists, he argued.

Not present

Mr. Srinivas maintained that the case did not attract the section 3(1) X of the Act, as the complainant, Mr. Manda Krishna, was not present when the alleged incident took place and hence the question of insulting or humiliating him did not arise.