Eight Get Six-Month Jail Term for Attack on Forest Staff
Out of 39 accused in the case, two had died and 37 faced trial. Eight were convicted, while the remaining were acquitted. Public prosecutor M. Ramana Reddy argued the case.
Adilabad:A Special Sessions Court for SC/ST cases in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district on Thursday sentenced eight persons to six months’ simple imprisonment in a case relating to an attack on forest staff at Kotha Sarasala village in Kagaznagar mandal.
District Special Sessions Judge Danie Ruth convicted the accused under Sections 147 and 332 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The court also imposed a fine of ₹8,500 each under Sections 323, 353 and 427.
Out of 39 accused in the case, two had died and 37 faced trial. Eight were convicted, while the remaining were acquitted. Public prosecutor M. Ramana Reddy argued the case.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on June 30, 2019, when villagers, allegedly supported by local leaders, attacked forest officials who had objected to podu cultivation and attempted to take up plantation work.
Forest range officer Sole Anitha was injured in the attack, in which the staff were allegedly assaulted with sticks.
Koneru Krishna, brother of former Sirpur (T) MLA Koneru Konappa, was named as the prime accused. The convicted accused have filed suspension petitions, which were allowed by the court. The incident had drawn attention at the national level and was raised in the Lok Sabha.
