A local court in Hyderabad granted bail to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's sister and YSR Telangana Party president YS Sharmila on Tuesday in a case of assault on a police official. On Monday, the court had sent Sharmila to 14-day judicial custody till May 8 for allegedly assaulting police personnel following an altercation with them outside her residence in Hyderabad.
Sharmila was arrested for allegedly assaulting one sub-inspector, ramming her vehicle on a police constable and causing him a leg injury, and also abusing police officials. She was transferred to Chanchalguda Jail on Monday night.
A case was registered under IPC sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from duty), 324 (voluntary causing hurt) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) against Sharmila and her driver.
The incident happened when Sharmila was stopped by police when she was on way to the office of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) question paper leak case.
Visuals showed Sharmila "manhandling" police officials who tried to prevent her from proceeding to the SIT office as mark of "protest" for which she had not obtained permission.
"Police had gone to Sharmila's house after receiving information that she was going to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) office probing the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) question paper leak case," Deputy Commissioner of Police Joel Davis said, as quoted by IANS.
Since there was no permission for Sharmila's visit to the SIT office, the police personnel were trying to explain the same to her, but she assaulted them, he further said.
Sharmila's driver also did not stop the car on the order of the police and hit them, injuring Constable Giribabu. Sharmila was initially detained by police and shifted to the police station following the incident and later arrested.
Sharmila, in a statement said, it was her "responsibility to act in self defence" and alleged that the police "behaved rudely" with her, PTI reported.
Police said they were also analysing video footage purportedly showing Sharmila's mother YS Vijayamma slapping a woman constable during a scuffle near Jubilee Hills Police Station where she went to meet the arrested YSRTP president.
Last month, the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) cancelled the Assistant Engineers (AE) exam held on March 5, following allegations that the question paper had been leaked. Subsequently a few more exams were cancelled.
More than 15 people, including TSPSC employees, have been arrested since March 13 over their alleged involvement in the leak of the question papers.