The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to rebel YSR Congress MP from Narasapuram constituency Kanumuri Raghurama Krishnam Raju who was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department in a sedition case last week.
However, the apex court headed by Justice Vineet Sharan imposed certain conditions for releasing Raju on bail.
He should submit a personal bond of Rs one lakh and provide two securities for the same amount before the trial court within one week.
The judge directed that the MP should cooperate with investigation and respond whenever he is called upon by the investigating officer. However, the investigating officer should give him at least 24 hrs notice.
“He shall be permitted in presence of his advocate who may not be part of investigation, but can be present. He shall not give press interviews or make media statements. He shall not try to influence the witnesses or investigations,” the judge said.
The Supreme Court judge also took serious note of Raju’s penchant with the media.
“Ask him to not display his injuries to the press like he’s done, because that will be interference. We will take that very seriously,” the judge said.
The judge felt that the injuries found by Army hospital prima faise confirms that Raju was ill-treated in the custody.
“Considering the totality of the circumstances and also the health of Raju, specially that he had undergone heart bypass surgery, we deem it just and proper that the Petitioner be enlarged on bail,” he said.
The judge, however, said the FIR was lodged only after detailed inquiry by State CID. He said the charges are not such that custodial interrogation would be required as all statements of Raju are on record and the FIR was registered after enquiry by the CID.
