Chiranjeevi's son-in-law denied bail

A local court in Hyderabad on Thursday denied bail to G Shirish Bharadwaj, son-in-law of actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi, who is facing dowry harassment charges. The 8th additional metropolitan sessions court, however, granted anticipatory bail to Shirish's mother T N Suryamangala on certain conditions.

Chiranjeevi's daughter K Srija on March 14 had filed a complaint against her husband Shirish and mother-in-law Suryamangala, alleging she was being harassed and ill-treated by the duo for the past one year for an additional dowry of Rs 50 lakh.

Based on her complaint, the woman police station at the Central Crime Station registered a case against them under section 498-A (subjecting woman to cruelty by husband, in-laws) and under relevant provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

Following registration of the case, Shirish, along with his mother filed a plea last week before the sessions court seeking anticipatory bail. The court on Wednesday completed hearing arguments from both the sides and had reserved the order for Thursday.

The court in its order observed that prima facie Shirish is not entitled for anticipatory bail under the existing circumstances since investigations were still on. While granting anticipatory bail to Shirish's mother the court laid down certain conditions and asked her to execute a bond of Rs 10,000 and furnish two sureties of equal sum, in case of arrest.

Suryamangala was also asked not to leave Hyderabad and report before the station house officer CCS on every alternate day until further orders and was also told to cooperate in the investigations. The court further asked her not to interact or influence witnesses.

The additional public prosecutor had earlier contended that Srija was not willing to take up any counselling on the discord. Srija, the youngest daughter of Chirajneevi, married Shirish in 2007 against the wishes of her family and then fled to Delhi. She had also approached a court there seeking protection from her family. The couple has a daughter.