Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh Police have withdrawn proceedings to open rowdy sheets against several accused in the 2021 TDP office attack case in Mangalagiri, after the matter was challenged before the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
NTR District Police Commissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu had issued orders on September 22 directing police stations under the commissionerate to open rowdy sheets against several persons allegedly involved in the attack on the TDP central office. Proceedings were reportedly sent to various police stations for implementation.
According to reports, the police had proposed opening rowdy sheets against 51 persons in connection with the case.
Accused Challenge Rowdy Sheet Proceedings in High Court
The proposed action was challenged before the Andhra Pradesh High Court by Bacchu Muralikrishna and others. The petitioners argued that the police had not followed the procedures prescribed under the Police Standing Orders for opening rowdy sheets.
During the hearing, the High Court sought details from the police regarding the basis and procedure followed while issuing the rowdy sheet proceedings.
The court also questioned how the proceedings could be justified in light of the applicable police guidelines.
AP Police Withdraw Rowdy Sheet Orders
Amid the High Court proceedings, the police department took a significant step.
Commissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu submitted a memo before the High Court stating that the earlier proceedings issued for opening rowdy sheets had been withdrawn.
The High Court took note of the Commissioner’s submission and recorded the withdrawal of the proceedings.
High Court Closes Petitions
Following the police department’s decision to withdraw the rowdy sheet proceedings, the Andhra Pradesh High Court disposed of the petitions filed by the affected persons.
The development effectively brings the current challenge over the proposed rowdy sheets to an end, with the police withdrawing the orders that had originally triggered the legal dispute.
Political Significance of TDP Office Attack Case
The 2021 attack on the TDP central office in Mangalagiri remains a politically sensitive case in Andhra Pradesh. The decision to open rowdy sheets against 51 accused, followed by the challenge before the High Court and the subsequent withdrawal of the proceedings, has added another significant turn to the case.
The High Court’s scrutiny of the police proceedings and the subsequent withdrawal by the Commissioner are now likely to draw attention in both legal and political circles.
For now, the rowdy sheet proceedings against the accused have been withdrawn, bringing a temporary close to this chapter of the TDP office attack case.
