Vijayawada Police Commissioner N V Surender Babu and four other police personnel on Friday surrendered before the Third Metropolitan Magistrate in connection with the custodial killing of a person 10 months ago.

The magistrate granted them bail on execution of a bond of Rs 5,000 and production of two sureties each. The case has been posted for May 22 for further hearing.

Surender Babu, Assistant Commissioner of Police D Ram Reddy, Governorpet police station Sub-Inspector G Srinivas, Assistant Sub-Inspector Babu Rao and constable Nancharaiah surrendered around 1500 IST on the directive of the metropolitan sessions judge.

Vijayawada Municipal Commissioner Praveen Prakash and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) K Bhupal Singh stood surety for Surender Babu and Ram Reddy, while Deputy Commissioner of Police P J Victor and ACP S K Bashiruddin stood surety for the others.

Third Metropolitan Magistrate D Venkata Ramana had on May two issued non-bailable warrants against them in connection with the murder of Kodeboyina Srinivas alias Budda Shantan on July 14, 2002 in the premises of the Governorpet police station.

The police claimed that Budda Shantan, accused in the murder of a local Telugu Desam Party leader, was shot at in self-defence after he snatched a sub-inspector's revolver and fired at policemen.

Acting on a petition filed by the victim's relatives, the magistrate was convinced that Shantan was deliberately shot dead.

He directed the police to book a case against Surender Babu and four others under sections 302, 201, 149 and 120 (B) read with section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, for murder, tampering with evidence and criminal conspiracy. Non-bailable warrants followed.

The policemen filed petitions in the metropolitan sessions court seeking anticipatory bail.

However, Metropolitan Sessions Judge K S Appa Rao on Thursday rejected their petitions and ordered them to surrender before the magistrate within four court working days.