The Madras High Court on Wednesday set aside the conviction and three-year sentence imposed by a local court in 2019 against former Tamil Nadu minister P Balakrishna Reddy in a case pertaining to protests and rioting against an illegal attack..A Bench of Justice G Jayachandran set aside Reddy's conviction and sentence related to a 1998 incident, citing gaps in the prosecution's case. He noted that the prosecution had investigated without even identifying the protestors..In 1998, over 150 villagers had gathered in front of the Bagalur police station and indulged in rioting, protesting against police inaction in removing illicit arrack units in the area.Reddy was convicted and sentenced by a special court hearing cases against lawmakers. The special court had concluded that he was part of such group that had damaged public property and set a public transport vehicle afire.Reddy was the State minister for Sports and Youth Welfare under the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government in Tamil Nadu when he was convicted. He had resigned from his post following such conviction.
The Madras High Court on Wednesday set aside the conviction and three-year sentence imposed by a local court in 2019 against former Tamil Nadu minister P Balakrishna Reddy in a case pertaining to protests and rioting against an illegal attack..A Bench of Justice G Jayachandran set aside Reddy's conviction and sentence related to a 1998 incident, citing gaps in the prosecution's case. He noted that the prosecution had investigated without even identifying the protestors..In 1998, over 150 villagers had gathered in front of the Bagalur police station and indulged in rioting, protesting against police inaction in removing illicit arrack units in the area.Reddy was convicted and sentenced by a special court hearing cases against lawmakers. The special court had concluded that he was part of such group that had damaged public property and set a public transport vehicle afire.Reddy was the State minister for Sports and Youth Welfare under the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government in Tamil Nadu when he was convicted. He had resigned from his post following such conviction.