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SC Quashes FIR Against Manchu Babu Over Peaceful Student Protest During 2019 Polls

Vivek G.

Supreme Court quashes FIR against Manchu Mohan Babu and his son over 2019 protest rally, stating no offence made out under IPC or Police Act.

SC Quashes FIR Against Manchu Babu Over Peaceful Student Protest During 2019 Polls

The Supreme Court of India has quashed the criminal proceedings against Telugu actor and educationist Manchu Mohan Babu and his son Manchu Vishnu Vardhan Babu, who were accused of participating in a protest rally in 2019 during the general elections in Andhra Pradesh.

हिंदी में पढ़ें

Background of the Case:

The protest in question took place on March 22, 2019, where the appellants and a group of students allegedly held a rally and dharna along the Tirupati-Madanapalli road, raising slogans against the then State Government over student fee reimbursement issues. The rally reportedly lasted from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

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As per the FIR, this activity caused obstruction to traffic and public inconvenience. The protest occurred during the Model Code of Conduct period, and the appellants allegedly did not obtain prior permission. A complaint was filed by the Mandal Parishad Development Officer, and FIR No. 102/2019 was registered.

The appellants were booked under:

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The Andhra Pradesh High Court refused to quash the case in January 2025, stating that there were specific allegations and no tenable ground for intervention. This led the appellants to approach the Supreme Court.

The Bench, comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice K.V. Viswanathan, carefully examined the FIR and the charge sheet and found no ingredients of the alleged offences made out against the appellants.

“The appellants were exercising their right to freedom of speech and expression and to assemble peacefully. Even if allegations are taken at face value, they do not constitute any offence under IPC or Police Act.” – Supreme Court

The Court cited the principles laid down in the landmark Bhajan Lal case and Pepsi Foods Ltd. vs. Special Judicial Magistrate, emphasizing that:

“Where allegations in FIR do not disclose any cognizable offence, the proceedings must be quashed to prevent abuse of process.”

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  • Fundamental Right: The Court upheld that peaceful protests fall under the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.
  • No Criminal Intent: There was no evidence of criminal activity, public obstruction, or undue influence during elections.
  • Misapplication of Law: The sections invoked were found irrelevant to the facts of the case.
  • High Court Error: The Supreme Court noted that the High Court failed to apply the correct legal tests and erred in not quashing the FIR.

The Supreme Court allowed both appeals, set aside the Andhra Pradesh High Court order, and quashed:

  • FIR No. 102/2019
  • Proceedings in C.C. No. 1015/2021

“It is neither expedient nor in the interest of justice to permit the present prosecution to continue.” – SC Bench

Case Title: Manchu Mohan Babu & Another vs. State of Andhra Pradesh & Another

Appeal Numbers: Criminal Appeal No. 3298 of 2025 & Criminal Appeal No. 3299 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (Crl.) Nos. 5247 & 8623 of 2025)

Date of Judgment: 31 July 2025

Trial Court Case No.: C.C. No. 1015 of 2021