Supreme Court Grants Interim Protection to YSRCP Leaders in TDP Office Attack Case

The Supreme Court has granted interim protection to YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) Vijayawada East coordinator Devineni Avinash, following the Andhra Pradesh High Court's denial of his anticipatory bail. Avinash, along with other YSRCP members, is accused of involvement in the October 2021 attack on the Telugu Desam Party’s (TDP) central office, NTR Bhavan, located in Mangalagiri during the YSRCP regime. The Court also extended interim protection to fellow YSRCP leaders Lella Appi Reddy, Sri Talasila Raghuram, and Oggu Gavaskar, who are similarly accused of trespassing and attacking TDP members at NTR Bhavan. The petitioners are accused under the offences 147, 148, 452, 427, 323, 506, 324 read with 149 and Sections 326, 307, 450, 380 read with 109 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah has also granted interim protection to former minister and MLA Jogi Ramesh in connection with the allegedly vandalising Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's Undavali residence along with other YSCRC members in 2021. Ramesh is accused under the offences 143, 324, 506, 188, 269 and 270 r/w 149 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. On September 4, Andhra Pradesh denied anticipatory bail to all YSRCP leaders including Ramesh. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal (appearing for Avinash) informed the Court that two years after the alleged attack involving 88 people, fresh investigations began because the ruling Government changed. Sibal submitted that the members received minor injuries contrary to what is alleged by the complaint in the FIR. He added that the accused Avinash has not been identified in the CCTV footage recorded as evidence. On the other side, Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Luthra, opposing the interim protection, argued that the investigation had been mismanaged for three years and that Avinash had been identified by eyewitnesses as one of the key instigators of the attack on TDP members. Rohatgi emphasized that the assault was premeditated and involved deadly weapons. Luthra also pointed out that Avinash had attempted to flee the country and was detained at the airport. He argued that crucial medical evidence about the injuries sustained by the TDP members had been suppressed under the previous YSRCP government. Justice Dhulia raised concerns over the timing of the arrests, noting that the incidents in question occurred three years ago. Sibal explained that the arrests were initiated only recently. Although Rohatgi requested that the Court review CCTV footage, Justice Dhulia mentioned technical difficulties. The Court concluded that, given the circumstances, interim protection was necessary. The Court directed that no coercive action be taken against the petitioners as long as they cooperate with the investigation. To address concerns about flight risk, the petitioners were ordered to surrender their passports within 48 hours and fully cooperate with the ongoing inquiry. Case Details: DEVINENI AVINASH Versus THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, SLP(Crl) No. 12659-12662/2024 & JOGI RAMESH Versus THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH SLP(Crl) No. 12567/2024