Former Macherla MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy arrested in connection with election-related violence

NARASARAOPET: Former YCP MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy has been arrested by the Palnadu police on Wednesday. Pinnelli has not been arrested so far in the wake of the High Court's interim relief for offenses committed during the elections.

After the High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea at around 2.30 pm on Wednesday, the police immediately took him into custody at Narasaraopet. He was taken to the district SP Mallika Garg’s office.

On the polling day on May 13, Pinnelli went on a rampage in the Macharla constituency. An EVM was damaged at a polling station in Palvaigate of Rentachintala mandal. While coming out, a woman named Cherukuri Nagashiromani stood up and he threatened her. The Rentachintala police have registered a case under Sections 506 and 509 of the IPC.

The MLA allegedly attacked TDP agent Namburi Seshagiri Rao who tried to stop them from destroying the EVM. The MLA and 15 others have been booked under Sections 307, 147, 148, 120B, and 324 read with 149 of the IPC.

Seshagiri Rao alleged that Pinnelli instigated the YSRCP cadres to kill him. Ramakrishna Reddy has been included as A-1 in the case. Chinta Subba Rao and some other supporters of the MLA also have been booked in the case.

On May 14, Pinnelli, along with his brother Venkatrami Reddy's followers, created a ruckus in Karampudi. They allegedly attacked TDP supporters and damaged them. CI Narayanaswamy who was about to stop him was injured.

Based on the VRO's complaint, a case under Sections 307, 332, 143, 147, 324, and 149 of the IPC was registered against Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy and Pinnelli Venkatrami Reddy. Pinnelli went into hiding fearing that he would be arrested in connection with these cases. He then filed a bail petition in the High Court, which stayed his arrest till June 4.