Andhra Pradesh HC Grants YSRCP MLA Interim Relief From Arrest in EVM Vandalism Case

Police teams continued their search for the ruling party MLA Ramakrishna Reddy for the third day on Friday after the Election Commission of India ordered his immediate arrest.

In the case registered by the police two days ago, Ramakrishna Reddy is the primary accused in connection with damaging the EVM.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has granted interim protection from arrest until June 6 to Macherla YSRCP MLA P Ramakrishna Reddy, who is currently 'absconding'. This decision is in connection with a case involving the smashing of an EVM and takes into account various factors, including his candidacy in the Assembly election.

 

After being recorded on camera smashing an EVM inside a polling booth in Andhra Pradesh, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) legislator Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy, who is currently on the run and searched by the police, has approached the high court seeking anticipatory bail. The MLA from Macherla Assembly constituency in Palnadu district filed a petition through his lawyer with Andhra Pradesh High Court.

On Thursday, at least eight police teams continued their search for the ruling party MLA for a second day after the Election Commission of India ordered his immediate arrest. The police located several vehicles from the MLA's convoy near Hyderabad on Wednesday and the MLA's driver and security guard have been detained for questioning.

Citing the failure to report the incident, Chief Electoral Officer M.K. Meena ordered the suspension of the polling officer and assistant polling officer at the booth where the MLA smashed the EVM.

'Ramakrishna Reddy Identified As Main Accused'

On the day of polling on May 13, YSRCP MLA P. Ramakrishna Reddy was caught on camera allegedly damaging an EVM in the Macherla Assembly constituency during simultaneous polling for the Assembly and Lok Sabha in Andhra Pradesh.

In the case registered by the police two days ago, Ramakrishna Reddy was reportedly identified as the primary accused in connection with damaging the EVM.

A statement from Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mukesh Kumar Meena’s office on Tuesday, as per PTI said, “In Macherla Assembly Constituency, EVMs were damaged in seven polling stations including the PS no (polling station number) 202 where this incident of damage of EVM by the sitting MLA P Ramakrishna Reddy was recorded in the web camera.”

Ramakrishna Reddy, seeking re-election from Macherla as a YSRCP candidate for a fifth consecutive term, has been charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, 1984.

According to Chief Electoral Officer M.K. Meena, these charges could lead to a prison sentence of up to seven years for the MLA. Police raided his residence in Hyderabad on the night of May 21, but he was not found there.