SC relief to Mohan Babu in Hyderabad journalist assault case

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday, January 9, granted interim relief to actor Mohan Babu in the journalist assault case, directing the police to refrain from taking coercive action against him.  

The case revolves around an incident in which Mohan Babu allegedly grabbed a journalist's microphone while being questioned about a property dispute with his son, Manchu Manoj. The journalist reportedly sustained severe injuries during the altercation, necessitating surgery.  

A division bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Prasanth Kumar Mishra heard Mohan Babu's special leave petition challenging the Telangana High Court's refusal to grant anticipatory bail. The Supreme Court issued a notice in the case, giving the parties four weeks to respond.  

This development follows the Telangana High Court’s earlier rejection of Mohan Babu’s plea for anticipatory bail. The actor had sought bail citing health concerns after the Rachakonda police commissioner issued a notice for him to appear for questioning by December 24. Mohan Babu’s lawyer informed the court that he was currently in Tirupati.  

The assault took place at Mohan Babu's residence in Jalpally, where video evidence purportedly shows the actor snatching a microphone from the journalist and striking him with it repeatedly. Following public outrage, Mohan Babu personally visited the injured journalist and extended an apology for his actions. A case was registered against the actor shortly after the incident.