The Kaikalur Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Monday awarded one year Rigorous Imprisonment to Gudivada MLA Kodali Sri Venkateswara Rao (Nani) and seven others in a dharna and assault case.
Mr. Nani and his followers staged a sit-in before the MRO office with the body of a farmer, Moshiach, who committed suicide in 2005. Then Mudinepalli SI Chalasani Srinivas Rao registered cases against the MLA and his followers .
Gudivada DSP P. Parameswar Reddy said cases were registered against nine persons including the MLA under Sections.353 (assault or deterring a public servant from discharging his/her duties by using criminal force), 426 (mischief) and 152 (assault or obstructing a public servant when suppressing riots) of IPC.
Police alleged that the legislator and his followers prevented the MRO, RDO and other officials and then Minister Pinnamaneni Venkateswara Rao from attending a meeting. During the arguments, one person died and the court awarded punishment for the remaining accused. The judge sentenced eight accused to one year RI and imposed Rs.2, 000 fine.
The court granted conditional bail to the accused and gave one month’s time for appealing in the higher court.
