'Why Interim Protection Given In EVM Smashing Case?': SC Bars YRS MLA Ramakrishna Reddy From Counting Station

The Supreme Court barred YSR Congress MLA Ramakrishna Reddy the from entering the counting station of Macharla constituency and requested the High Court to dispose the petition on the merits of the case.

The top court while hearing the case also questioned that why interim protection was given in such a case. 

The Supreme Court on Monday barred YSR Congress MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy the from entering the counting station of Macharla constituency and requested the High Court to dispose the petition on the merits of the case without being influenced by its earlier observations and grant of interim protection. The top court while hearing the case also questioned that why interim protection was given by high court in such a case. 

The court was hearing the petition moved by a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) activist against YSR Congress MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy for entering the polling booth and smashing EVM and VVPAT machines on the polling day.

Today, the counsel appearing for Rao, placed pictures and videos of the incident from the Election Commission of India's (ECI) website and called the incident a mockery of the election process. 

The counsel Vikas Singh appearing for Reddy disputed the claim that these photos and videos were from ECI website. He further told the top court that he was ready to give an undertaking that he would not go near the counting station and requested the top court to let high court continue the hearing on June 6. The top court while barring Reddy expressed a prima facie view that it appeared that he did smash the EVM and VVPAT on that day.

A petition was moved by TDP activist Namburi Seshagiri Rao in the top court alleging destruction of EVM machines by YSR Congress MLA Reddy and his supporters. This pertains to a viral video that showed the MLA allegedly smashing the EVM machine in the polling booth in Macharla. The high court had granted him anticipatory bail till June 5. 

Rao, who is also TDP's counting agent, said that the MLA Reddy destroyed the EVM in Macherla. He further states that the police have registered a case without naming the MLA. 

The TDP activist has also alleged a threat to his life by the accused MLA and his supporters. He further pointed out that the Andhra high court grantedbail to the MLA in such a serious crime and has challenged the same in the apex court.

Rao further seeks direction from the top court to restrain the YSR MLA from moving around on the counting day. He alleges that Reddy moved around in the contituency on polling day with deadly weapons.

In a high drama episode, a video showing MLA Ramakrishna Reddy smashing the EVM at a polling booth vent viral on May 13.

The incident occurred at a polling booth in Macherla on May 13 during the simultaneous polling for the Assembly and Lok Sabha in Andhra Pradesh.

The MLA had moved high court for anticipatory bail. The high court restrained the police from taking any coercive action against the MLA till the June 5 and posted the matter for further hearing to June 6.

The Election Commission of India had taken a serious note of the MLA’s act of smashing EVM.