Actor Mohan Babu Gets Relief from Telangana High Court
Film actor M. Mohan Babu filed a petition in the Telangana High Court on Wednesday, seeking a stay on notices issued by the Rachakonda police. Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy, presiding over the matter, granted a stay on these notices.
The notices were issued following mutual complaints between Mohan Babu and his son, actor Manchu Manoj. The court exempted Mohan Babu from appearing before the police for questioning until December 24. During the hearing, the Government Pleader (Home) informed the court that Mohan Babu was also named in a separate criminal case involving an alleged assault on a journalist.
Mohan Babu’s lawyer requested police surveillance at the actor’s residence, citing safety concerns. The Government Pleader argued that round-the-clock surveillance was impractical but assured the court that police would monitor the situation periodically. The court directed the police to visit Mohan Babu’s residence every two hours and ensure the situation remained under control until the next hearing. The case was adjourned to December 24, with Mohan Babu currently undergoing treatment at a city hospital.
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Telangana High Court Hears Phone-Tapping Case
In a separate case, Justice K. Sujana of the Telangana High Court heard a criminal petition filed by A. Shravan Kumar, a journalist and Managing Director of I News, seeking anticipatory bail. Kumar is listed as A-6 in the “phone-tapping” case registered under FIR No. 243/2024 at Panjagutta Police Station.
The court questioned Public Prosecutor Palle Nageshwar Rao on delays in issuing a red-corner notice for A-1, T. Prabhakar Rao (former SIB Chief), and Shravan Kumar. The judge expressed dissatisfaction over the Forensic Science Laboratory’s (FSL) failure to submit a report and pressed for clarity on when the absconding accused would be arrested. The prosecutor informed the court that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had requested Interpol’s assistance to issue the red-corner notice and that the State government was taking steps to bring back the accused.
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Allegations Against Shravan Kumar
The Public Prosecutor alleged that Shravan Kumar played a key role in the phone-tapping case. As the MD of I News, Kumar frequently visited the SIB (Special Intelligence Bureau) office to meet its former chief, Prabhakar Rao. The prosecutor claimed Kumar was involved in discussions about whose phones should be tapped and other illegal activities aimed at influencing the 2023 Assembly elections in favor of the BRS party.
It was revealed during the investigation that 62 hard drives had been destroyed in the SIB office, with parts discarded in the Musi River. The prosecutor also cited confession statements from other accused, including A-2 Praneeth Rao (Inspector, SIB) and A-5 Radhakishan Rao, which implicated Kumar. Statements from Harish, a driver for A-2, further alleged that Kumar provided targets for phone-tapping and other actions.
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Defense Claims Innocence
Shravan Kumar’s senior counsel denied these allegations, claiming that Kumar was being falsely implicated. The defense argued that as MD of I News, Kumar was only conducting election surveys and had no involvement in illegal activities. The counsel assured the court that Kumar would cooperate with the investigation if anticipatory bail was granted.
The Public Prosecutor opposed the bail request, pointing out that Kumar fled to the U.S. after the FIR was registered, suggesting guilt. The prosecutor argued that granting bail would hinder the investigation. The court reserved its judgment on the matter.
