Former Macharla MLA, Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy of Palnadu district, has been arrested following the High Court’s rejection of his anticipatory bail petitions. Pinnelli, who had previously avoided arrest due to temporary relief granted by the court, was detained in Narasa Raopet and taken to the Palnadu district SP office.
The arrest stems from incidents on May 13, polling day, where Pinnelli was allegedly involved in violent activities in the Macharla constituency. An Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) was vandalized at Palvaigate polling station in Rentachintala mandal. Additionally, a woman named Cherukuri Nagashiromani was threatened and abused by Pinnelli. A case was filed against him under sections 506 and 509 of the IPC. TDP agent Namburi Seshagiri Rao, who tried to stop the EVM destruction, was attacked, leading to charges under sections 307, 147, 148, 120B, 324, and Redwith 149 of the IPC. Rao alleged that Pinnelli incited violence against him, making Pinnelli the primary accused in this case.
On May 14, Pinnelli, along with his brother Venkatrami Reddy, allegedly orchestrated an attack on the TDP office in Karampudi, resulting in vandalism and injuries to TDP supporters. CI Narayanaswamy was injured while attempting to intervene. A case was filed against Pinnelli and his associates under sections 307, 332, 143, 147, 324, and 149 of the IPC. Anticipating arrest, Pinnelli went into hiding and later secured temporary bail from the High Court until June 4.
During the vote counting on June 4, Pinnelli was granted exemption from arrest to allow for the appointment of agents. However, Namburi Seshagiri Rao filed a petition in the Supreme Court, prompting the court to express displeasure over Pinnelli’s non-arrest and directing the High Court to issue appropriate orders. The High Court subsequently reserved its judgment on Pinnelli’s bail petition and, on Wednesday, dismissed the petitions, leading to Pinnelli’s arrest and transfer to the SP’s office.
