Pinnelli Likely To Be Arrested Soon?

Former YSRCP MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy, who came under the scanner of the ECI after he was accused of damaging EVM on the day of polling in Andhra Pradesh, is likely to be arrested shortly as the anticipatory bail granted by the High Court will expire today ( Wednesday).

A number of cases were framed against this four time MLA for deliberate vandalism of election machinery and resorting to violence at the polling station and they will come up for hearing on Thursday. The court may slap him with stringent punishment and impose restrictions as there is a strong evidence about his involvement.

Going into the details of the case, Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy was found damaging EVM at Palvai Gate booth of Macherla constituency on May 13th. A week after the polling, CCTV footage featuring the atrocities of Pinnelli and his henchmen surfaced on social media and received a severe backlash from all quarters, demanding the ECI to take cognisance of the deliberate thuggery.

Besides EVM damage, Pinnelli was also accused of manhandling TDP agent and also attempting murder against CI Narayana Swamy. A SIT was immediately formed to investigate into the issue and a report was already submitted by the committee.

Fearing arrest, Pinnelli fled from the scene of offence and absconded. He approached the high court and secured anticipatory bail. Later, he filed a petition to grant him permission to attend the counting of votes.

While debarring him from making any provocative statements and not to talk with the media, the Court granted him permission to attend the counting on June 4th. But, this order was challenged in the Supreme Court by TDP agent Seshagiri Rao.

After looking into the case, the apex court called the incident a sheer mockery of election and questioned the High Court on the rationale behind granting him bail and giving him permission to attend the counting. It debarred the accused from entering the counting station and also asked the lower court to take necessary action on this during the hearing on June 6th.

Pinnelli is likely to face the consequences of his actions on the polling day. He may have to fight a long legal battle in this case to come out of it.