Telangana HC says Centre’s rejection of Subbarama Reddy murder convict’s remission ‘without proper consideration’

The High Court held that prima facie the Central government’s decision to reject the remission plea of PVB Ganesh, a convict in the murder case of Magunta Subbarama Reddy, was made without proper consideration.

By LEGAL CORRESPONDENT

Hyderabad: Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court held that prima facie the Central government’s decision to reject the remission plea of PVB Ganesh, a convict in the murder case of Magunta Subbarama Reddy, was made without proper consideration.

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The court was addressing a petition challenging the rejection of Ganesh’s remission request by the Central government, which cited the severity of the crimes committed and the potential impact on ongoing trials involving other accused individuals. Ganesh was convicted for his role in the 1995 murder of Magunta Subbarama Reddy, a former Member of Parliament from Ongole, and was affiliated with the Maoist party at the time. Ganesh has spent 28 years in Cherlapally Prison and during this time, he has reportedly earned three degrees.

In an earlier round of litigation, a division bench of the High Court granted Ganesh interim bail and directed the Central government to reconsider his remission request based on his reformation and long imprisonment. Senior Counsel, B Nalin Kumar assisted by petitioner counsel T Rahul contended that the Central government failed to look into reformation aspect. Further he dismissed the allegation that petitioner would influence the trial pending against absconding accused stating that Ganesh was out on bail since one and half year and no influence was exerted. However, the Deputy Solicitor General, Gadi Praveen Kumar, opposed any relief for Ganesh, citing the gravity of his crimes and the potential consequences of granting remission. The Solicitor General sought three weeks to file a counter affidavit on behalf of the central government.

After reviewing the case, Justice Reddy ruled that the government’s stance indicated a “non-application of mind,” and he extended Ganesh’s interim bail granted by the division bench for another three weeks, directing the Central government to file a detailed counter affidavit within that time.