YS Viveka Murder: Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy granted anticipatory bail by Telangana High Court
In a big relief to him, Kadapa MP Y S Avinash Reddy was granted anticipatory bail by Telangana High Court on Wednesday
HYDERABAD: In a big relief to him, Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy was granted anticipatory bail by Telangana High Court on Wednesday. The judgement was reserved earlier and the court directed the CBI proving the case not to arrest Avinash Reddy until the judgement is pronounced and slated the verdict to Wednesday.
The CBI vehemently opposed the bail plea of the MP and mentioned in the court that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy was informed before the news of Vivekananda Reddy’s death was broken to the world by his PA M V Krishna Reddy. The CBI alleged in its submissions to the High Court that Avinash Reddy was active on his WhatsApp before and after the death of Vivekananda Reddy and it’s necessary to investigate into whether it was the Kadapa MP who had informed the AP Chief Minister about the death of Viveka.
Justice M Lakshman, the High Court judge while delivering the judgment, made some observations which would have far reaching consequences, especially on the ‘trial by media’.
He said: “Before I delve into facts of present petition, I felt to place on record certain attempts by selective media to thwart and derail judicial process by making attempts to tarnish my image and attempts to intimidate and threaten to derail independent thought process in arriving just decision in this matter. The individuals of selective media facilitated and abetted by airing views of selective personnel of their choice with conscious knowledge of their antecedents to intimidate, to threaten and to damage my reputation by personal attack. I have greatest regard to press and news media which is fourth estate and which is forerunner in preserving democracy. They have every right to express their opinion touching merits of any decision which is essential in rightful democracy. Day by day, reputation of such important institution is eroding but for some individuals.”
The order of the judgement reads: “In the result, the Criminal Petition is allowed, granting anticipatory bail to the petitioner with the following conditions.
(i) The petitioner shall be released on bail, in the event of his arrest by the CBI in connection with FIR No.RC- 04(S)/2020/CBI/SC-III/New Delhi, on his executing a personal bond for Rs.5,00,000/- (Rupees five lakhs only) with two sureties for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the CBI.
(ii) The petitioner shall not leave the country without the prior permission from the CBI, till the investigation is completed.
(iii) The petitioner shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses or alter any evidence.
(iv) The petitioner shall cooperate with the investigation and shall appear before the C.B.I Police on every Saturday from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm., till the end of June, 2023 and shall regularly appear as and when he is required for investigation. He shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious investigation.
In the event of the petitioner committing any default, it is open to the CBI to seek cancellation of anticipatory bail.”