Andhra Pradesh High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Director RGV Amid Ongoing Controversy

On Tuesday, the Andhra Pradesh High Court granted anticipatory bail to film director Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) in connection with multiple cases filed against him at three different police stations. The cases stemmed from allegations of defamatory and objectionable social media posts. The court instructed RGV to cooperate with the ongoing investigations and appear before the relevant officers whenever required.

One of the cases was registered at the Maddipadu police station in Prakasham district, following a complaint by a local TDP worker. The complainant accused RGV of offending his sentiments by posting morphed and inappropriate photographs of TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu, General Secretary Nara Lokesh, and Janasena leader K. Pawan Kalyan.

The complainant alleged that RGV’s social media posts were inciting hostility between two groups. In response, RGV approached the high court, seeking the quashing of the FIRs filed against him. While the court issued notices in the petition to quash the cases, it denied any interim relief, which would have provided bail-like protection. As a result, RGV filed anticipatory bail petitions in all three cases.

During this time, RGV avoided appearing before the investigating officer, citing his busy schedule due to movie shooting commitments. Representing RGV, advocate Rajagopallavan Tayi argued that the controversial posts, mentioned in the complaints, were indeed made by RGV as part of promoting his film Vyuham.

The TDP challenged the film and its content before the high court and also filed a civil suit in the magistrate court. However, the TDP later withdrew the civil suit. It was pointed out that the cases now being pursued were based on the same photographs RGV had posted nearly a year ago.

Arguing on behalf of the state government, Public Prosecutor Menda Lakshminarayana emphasized that RGV, as a prominent director, should bear societal responsibility. He contended that the morphed photographs in question were unrelated to any legitimate promotion of RGV’s movie.

The Public Prosecutor further argued that RGV’s criminal history demonstrated a pattern of similar offenses dating back to 2014. He asserted that since RGV had not been cooperating with the investigation, his anticipatory bail petitions should be rejected.

After hearing the arguments from both sides, Justice N. Harinath granted anticipatory bail to RGV, subject to certain conditions. As per the court’s order, RGV was required to submit a personal bond of Rs 10,000 along with two sureties of the same amount. Additionally, he was instructed to appear before the investigating officer whenever required.