Vijayawada: The high court on Tuesday granted interim protection from arrest to Devireddy Chaitanya Reddy in the case registered by Kadapa police on a complaint lodged by Sheik Dastagiri, the accused-turned-approver in the Y S Vivekananda Reddy murder case. Chaitanya moved an anticipatory bail petition after the police included him as an accused.
Dastagiri alleged in his complaint that Chaitanya, who is the son of another accused, Siva Shankar Reddy, came to Kadapa central jail under the pretext of a medical camp and threatened to kill him if he did not agree to his proposal. Dastagiri further claimed that he was offered money to change his statement in the murder case. Chaitanya, a doctor by profession, was not a visiting doctor in Kadapa central jail, but gained access with the active connivance of then jail officials and local police, he alleged.
After Dastagiri lodged a complaint, Kadapa police registered a case against Chaitanya and other accused officials, following which he moved an anticipatory bail plea and sought interim protection from arrest pending disposal of the petition. As the prosecution sought time to submit details of the case, Justice K Srinivas Reddy posted the matter for further hearing after one week and directed the police not to take coercive steps in the meantime.
