A special MP-MLA court in Dumka on Monday sentenced former minister and Poreyahat Congress MLA Pradeep Yadav to one year of imprisonment in connection with a 2010 road blockade case. However, other accused, including former BJP MLA and ex-minister Randhir Singh, were acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Yadav, along with other co-accused, appeared before the court of special judge-cum-SDJM Mohit Choudhary during the proceedings. After hearing the arguments, the court convicted Yadav under Section 225 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Following the verdict, Yadav's counsel, Shankar Basaiwala, filed a provisional bail petition. The court granted bail for one month on two sureties of Rs 10,000 each, Basaiwala said. During the trial, the prosecution presented six witnesses.
The case dates back to September 15, 2010, when Yadav and Singh, then part of the now-defunct Jharkhand Vikas Morcha Prajatantrik (JVM-P), led a road blockade in Deoghar demanding the declaration of drought status for the region. An FIR was subsequently lodged with Deoghar Town police station by then magistrate-cum-labour enforcement officer Sudhir Kumar Modi under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act against 12 individuals and around 200 unidentified people.
Yadav said he would approach the upper court against the verdict. He stated, I along with others were charged with the allegation of freeing JVM cadres from police custody who were detained during a protest as part of statewide agitation during BJP rule. I am hopeful that the upper court will do justice and free me from the charges.
The ruling has drawn attention as it involves a prominent political figure. The case highlights the legal repercussions of political protests that turn into blockades. The acquittal of Randhir Singh and others underscores the importance of evidence in such cases.
