AP: YSRC former MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy Arrested

The YSRC leader was involved in a case of destruction of an EVM and VVPAT at the Palvaigate polling station, attack on a polling agent Namburi Seshagiri Rao who tried to intervene, and abuse of a woman, Naga Shiromani, in Rentachintala on May 13.

On May 14, the ex-MLA along with his brother Venkatrami Reddy was reportedly involved in post-poll violence, burning a vehicle and allegedly attacking circle inspector Narayana Swamy at Karempudi.

The ex-MLA moved the High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the four cases booked against him. The court granted it temporarily and directed the police not to initiate any action until further orders. The High Court held its hearing on Wednesday and struck down the four anticipatory bails. This led to his arrest.

A single judge bench headed by Justice T. Mallikarjuna Rao delivered the verdict here on Wednesday.

The court observed that the petitioner was involved in multiple cases and his antecedents were a crucial factor while deciding on his plea for anticipatory bail. Considering all the attending facts and circumstances of the case as well as gravity of the offence, the court said it does not see any reason for granting anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

The judge also said the settled principles of law is that the power to grant bail under Section 438 CrPC is to be sparingly exercised in extraordinary circumstances. No such circumstance was cited in this case, the court noted.

On the other hand, the Election Commission said in a statement that it considered the deliberate damage of EVMs by the then MLA as not just a criminal act but also an egregious attack on the democratic process.

The ECI directed the authorities that exemplary action be taken against the errant ex-legislator. The intention of the EC’s call for exemplary action reached its logical conclusion with the arrest of the accused.