In a major setback for former YSR Congress party MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy and his brother Pinnelli Venkatram Reddy, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the two petitions they had filed in connection with the Palnadu twin murder case.
The apex court also cancelled the interim bail it had previously granted them.
The bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued the orders, observing that the accused were not eligible for anticipatory bail in a murder case.
Justice Mehta noted that despite earlier directions to cooperate with the investigation, the accused had failed to do so.
Presenting the state government’s arguments, prosecutors informed the court that the accused had intimidated witnesses and attempted to tamper with evidence.
Taking note of these submissions, the bench remarked that no special permission was required to arrest them immediately.
Counsel for the Pinnelli brothers requested two weeks’ time for the accused to surrender.
Responding sharply, Justice Mehta questioned how time could be granted in a matter concerning anticipatory bail.
The bench also expressed concern over how documents recorded under Section 161 of the CrPC had reached the accused, seeking clarification from the state on this lapse.
The court further observed that custodial interrogation was essential given the nature of allegations and the conduct of the accused.
The Palnadu double murder case refers to a specific incident in Gundlapadu village, Palnadu district, where brothers Javisetty Venkateswarlu and Javisetty Koteshwar Rao were killed on May 24, 2025 due to a long-standing political rivalry.
Six individuals were arrested in connection with the murders, which are believed to have been motivated by a rivalry intensified by the upcoming local elections.
Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy (A-6) and his brother Venkatram Reddy (A-7), moved the Supreme Court seeking anticipatory bail.
