Telangana High Court Quashes FIRs Against CM Revanth Reddy For Obstructing Traffic For Road Shows During 2019 By-Polls
The Telangana High Court has quashed FIRs lodged against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for obstructing traffic and causing inconvenience while conducting road-shows at different locations as part of his campaign for the 2019 Huzurnagar by-elections.
The CM was booked under IPC Sections 341(wrongful restraint) and 188(Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).
The allegation against the CM in one of the FIRs was that on 18.10.2019, during the Huzurnagar by-elections, the petitioner along with other leaders of the Indian National Congress conducted a roadshow at Janapahad village from about 2:07 PM to 2:50 PM. It is alleged that due to the roadshow, the road remained blocked for approximately 43 minutes, obstructing free flow of traffic, and several vehicles participated without obtaining necessary permission from the competent authority.
After investigation, a charge sheet was filed and the case was taken cognizance as C.C. No. 396 of 2023.
Justice K Sujana in her order said:
"Reverting to the facts of the case on hand, a perusal of Section 188 of IPC makes clear that to take cognizance there should be a written complaint and such complaint should be filed either by the officer issuing such promulgation order or the officer above his rank. Further, Section 2 (d) of Cr.P.C., defines complaint as allegations made orally or in writing to the Magistrate with a view to the Magistrate taking action on such complaint, the Magistrate can take cognizance under Section 190 (1)(a) of Cr.P.C.. Thereafter, the procedure prescribed under Section 200 of Cr.P.C has to be followed. Therefore, the first information report, charge sheet and the order taking cognizance on such charge sheet are without jurisdiction"
The petitioner argued that essential ingredients of Sections 341 and 188 IPC are not made out and that there is no material to show that the petitioner voluntarily caused obstruction preventing any person from proceeding in a lawful direction. Meanwhile the State argued that petitioner, along with other accused, conducted a roadshow in violation of permissions granted by the Returning Officer, resulting in blockage of road and disruption of traffic for a considerable period.
The court perused charge sheet and said that it discloses that the petitioner was sought to be prosecuted for the offence under Section 188 IPC including other penal provisions i.e., 341 of IPC.
The court said that as per the judgment of the Supreme Court in State of Karnataka v. Hermareddy it is clear that if the offences formed part of the same transaction of the offences contemplated under Section 191 of Cr.P.C., it is not possible to split up and hold the prosecution of accused for the other offences.
"In view of the above, the FIR culminating in taking cognizance of the aforesaid offences stands vitiated. Hence, continuation of criminal proceedings against the petitioner is nothing but abuse of process of law. 12. Accordingly, the criminal petition is allowed and the proceedings against the petitioner in C.C.No.396 of 2023 on the file of the learned Principal Special Judicial Magistrate of First Class for Excise Cases, Hyderabad, are hereby quashed," the court said.
Another FIR was registered against the CM for conduct of a roadshow at Huzurnagar town on 19-10-2019, where it was alleged that nearly 10,000 supporters and about 500 vehicles participated, causing obstruction to public traffic till about 5:30 PM, exceeding the permitted time, using DJ systems, and allegedly obstructing the campaign of other candidates.
Two FIRs were registered against the CM over similar allegations for conducting road shows on 18-10-2019 at Nereducherla and Kalmalacheruvu crossroad in Garidepally, containing similar allegations.
All these FIRs were quashed.
Case title: Anumula Revanth Reddy v/s The State of Telangana and batch
CRIMINAL PETITION No.5020 of 2026 and others