TDP MLA arrested amidst high drama

VIJAYAWADA, June 26: Vijayawada MLA Ratnakumari was arrested here today amidst high drama, and produced before the Metropolitan Magistrate, on non-bailable warrants issued against her in two cases. The MLA, who had come to participate in the Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu’s Krashaka Sadassu (farmers’ meet), was arrested as she was leaving the police parade grounds after seeing off the CM. Attempts to arrest her led to a scuffle, just as the CM’s helicopter was taking off. Ratnakumari, whose foot was injured in the melee, had to be carried up the court room steps. Asked by the Magistrate if she was aware of the warrants against her, the MLA said the summons were not served on her, and she had come to know of the matter only through press reports. The warrants were issued in cases relating to forcible entry into a polling booth during the last parliamentary elections, and the kidnapping of a postbox attendant. Ratnakumari, however, alleged that the local police were prejudiced against her because she had interfered in the sale of cinema tickets in the black. The Magistrate directed that the MLA should be taken to hopsital for necessary treatment. Meanwhile, TDP workers flocked to the court to protest against what they described as the "high-handed" behaviour of the police in arresting the MLA.