YSRCP MLC Anantha Babu’s bail cancelled in driver murder case

Rajahmundry: The special judge for trial of cases and principal sessions judge in Rajahmundry has revoked the bail of YSRCP MLC Anantha Satya Udaya Bhaskar, who is accused in the murder of his driver, Veedhi Subrahmanyam. The court cancelled the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court on Dec 12, 2022.

The order was passed based on a petition filed by the prosecution alleging that the accused had attempted to influence and intimidate witnesses. Acting on fresh charges, Kakinada police arrested the MLC after booking a case at Two Town police station on April 20 for threatening and inducing witnesses.

According to police, Durga Siva Prasad Arava lodged a complaint stating that he, along with his brother Manikanta and two others — Mummidi Venkatesh and Savalam Pawan Kumar — are witnesses in the murder case. The complainant alleged that on April 20, they were taken by several accused persons, including Kadiyala Chinna Babu, Kadiyala Satish and Maganti Rambabu, to a flat in Sameera Apartments in Siddhartha Nagar, Kakinada, where they were wrongfully confined.

They were allegedly threatened that they must depose in favour of Anantha Babu and his wife, Anantha Lakshmi Durga, or face dire consequences. The accused also offered them Rs 1 lakh each, which they accepted out of fear. Another witness, Mummidi Venkatesh, was similarly threatened and paid money later in the day, the complaint stated.

Special Public Prosecutor Muppalla Subba Rao told TOI that the prosecution sought cancellation of bail on grounds that the accused violated court conditions by influencing witnesses. The court observed that there was sufficient material to establish misuse of liberty and the existence of compelling circumstances warranting cancellation of bail to ensure a fair trial.

The court directed the Superintendent of Rajahmundry Central Prison to issue a transit warrant for producing the accused before the court. The trial is scheduled to commence on the 20th of this month.