Friday, January 11, 2019

Ex-min moves HC against conviction by special court

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:11.01.2019

Two days after losing his ministerial post following a conviction ordered by a special court for cases against MPs and MLAs, Balakrishna Reddy has moved the Madras high court challenging the conviction and four-year sentence.

Reddy also wanted the high court to suspend his sentencing till the disposal of the appeal.

On January 7, special court judge J Santhi found Reddy and 15 others guilty of offences under Sections 147 (rioting), 341 (wrongful restraint) of IPC and Section 3 of Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act.

In view of the conviction, Reddy immediately stood disqualified from being a member of legislative assembly as per the provisions of the Representation of People Act.

The case pertains to a FIR registered in 1998 by the Bagalur police in Krishnagiri district over violence caused during a protest staged by BJP against illicit arrack. Reddy, who was a BJP member at the time, and 107 others attacked police personnel with iron rods, bottles and cycle chains. Three policemen were grievously injured, five buses were damaged in the stone pelting, and a police MUV and a bike were burnt in the violence.

Of the 108 suspects, Reddy was cited as the 72nd accused. As 27 accused died during the pendency of the case, only 81 faced trial and the special court in Chennai declared Reddy and16 others as guilty. Reddy was imposed a fine of ₹10,5000 besides four year imprisonment.

Now challenging the conviction, Reddy alleged that the special judge recorded the conviction without any legal evidence.

“The appellant is a MLA, the conviction disqualifies him from holding the position. Since the consequence that ensue the conviction is irreversible upon appellant succeeding in the instant appeal, he has also preferred application for suspension of conviction and sentencing till the disposal of the appeal,” Reddy’s counsel said. The appeal is likely to be heard on Friday.

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