Summary: Five people asked for bail before arrest after being accused of illegally taking over forest land in Telangana. Judge K. Sujana allowed the bail with certain conditions.
Five people, Naitham Manku, Mangam Suddu, Pendore Bapu Rao, Pendore Bheem Rao, and Athram Shankar, asked the court for bail before being arrested. They were accused under various parts of the Telangana Forest Act, 1967, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. The case is about allegedly taking over forest land in the Indenpally Range, Telangana.
The lawyer for the five people, Sri Kodari Mallikarjun, said that the crimes were not serious and had punishments of less than seven years. He also said that Naitham Manku, Mangam Suddu, Pendore Bapu Rao, Pendore Bheem Rao, and Athram Shankar were worried about being arrested even though there was no proof of them taking over the forest land.
"There is no such taking over of forest land by the petitioners," argued Sri Kodari Mallikarjun.
The lawyer for the government, Sri D. Arun Kumar, did not agree with the bail and called Naitham Manku, Mangam Suddu, Pendore Bapu Rao, Pendore Bheem Rao, and Athram Shankar repeat offenders who had been involved in similar cases before. He asked the court to reject the bail request.
Judge K. Sujana listened to both sides and decided to allow the bail before arrest. The court told Naitham Manku, Mangam Suddu, Pendore Bapu Rao, Pendore Bheem Rao, and Athram Shankar to show up before the officer investigating the case by October 30, 2025, and to help with the investigation.
"Petitioners shall cooperate with the Investigating Officer as and when required," directed Judge K. Sujana.
Naitham Manku, Mangam Suddu, Pendore Bapu Rao, Pendore Bheem Rao, and Athram Shankar must give the necessary documents to prove they are not guilty. The officer investigating the case is to follow the rules according to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the guidelines from the Supreme Court.
The court wrapped up the case with these conditions, making sure that Naitham Manku, Mangam Suddu, Pendore Bapu Rao, Pendore Bheem Rao, and Athram Shankar cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
