Jogi Ramesh, Devineni Avinash Granted Anticipatory Bail by Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India has granted anticipatory bail to YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders Jogi Ramesh and Devineni Avinash, along with 20 others, in connection with the attacks on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s residence and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) central office. The court, while granting bail, directed Ramesh and Avinash to cooperate with the police investigation and prohibited them from leaving the country.

During the hearing, the government's counsel argued that the accused had neither sought anticipatory bail nor regular bail for the past three years. He pointed out that they approached the court only after the change in government in Andhra Pradesh, suggesting that they feared exposure of their alleged wrongdoing. The counsel further stated that despite Chandrababu Naidu having Z-plus security, his residence was attacked, and a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was filed against him. Additionally, he alleged that Avinash was the main conspirator behind the attack on the TDP office and was not cooperating with the investigation.

The Supreme Court made critical observations on the handling of the case, stating that the police had delayed the investigation for three years, thereby violating the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The court noted that the accused had filed petitions challenging the High Court’s orders but found no substantial reasons to intervene further. Granting anticipatory bail, the court instructed the accused to cooperate with the investigation.