In a setback to the YSR Congress party leader and former Gannavaram MLA Vallabhaneni Vamsi, the Andhra Pradesh high court on Thursday dismissed his petition seeking anticipatory bail in the attack on Gannavaram TDP office in 2023.
Vamsi, who was arrested last week by the Andhra Pradesh police from his Hyderabad residence, filed a petition much before that seeking anticipatory bail in the case related to the attack on the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) office in Gannavaram. He is currently lodged in the district jail in Vijayawada.
However, the high court which took into consideration the latest developments that unfolded after his arrest, reviewed the case again and rejected his bail plea.
Apparently, the high court took into cognizance the alleged kidnap and intimidation of Mudunuru Satyavardhan, a Dalit employee working in the TDP office.
Meanwhile, the Vijayawada police filed a petition before the SC/ST special court seeking 10-day custody of Vamsi for questioning in the kidnap of Satyavardhan.
Prosecution lawyer Rajendra Prasad argued that a crime scene reconstruction had to be carried out regarding Satyavardhan’s abduction and attack.
He also stated that several more accused in the case were yet to be arrested and that an in-depth investigation was necessary. Judge Himabindu heard arguments from both sides.
The prosecution insisted on recovering Vamsi’s mobile phone, claiming it contained crucial evidence. They also requested the court to seize the car allegedly used in the kidnapping.
On the other hand, Vamsi’s lawyer, Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy, argued that Satyavardhan was already safe and outside custody, making it unnecessary to take Vamsi into custody for crime scene reconstruction.
He further expressed apprehension that the police might use third-degree interrogation techniques to extract a forced statement from Vamsi.
The judge is expected to give her verdict on the police custody.
