The case of the forgotten diary
Chennaipalem was a small seacoast village near Kavali.In the election for Panchayat Sarpanch ,the village land lord AudiBNarayanaReddy was defeated by Subbiah a Yadav (B.C.).The election was held with raising of hands and result was recorded by the election officer and orders were posted on the notice board of village panchayat.
It was prestigious issue for the village Reddys and they manipulated the election officer to change his earlier declaration and declare AudiNarayanaReddy as Serpanch. This action was challenged in court by poor Subbaiah. Though Reddys were clients of late SRM, and tried to tempt him with big fees, he preferred to represent Subbiah in court.
The order pasted by the E.O. was removed from and kept in safe custody of SRM.The opposition party can go even to the extent of murder, but SRM was not afraid. He had many sleepless nights but the papers were safe (in our inappetta).Their importance can not be overemphasized.
The case came up for hearing. The E.O.deposed that AudiNarayanaReddy won election, but he was forced to declare Subbiah as elected under threat. The orders posted on village notice board are not correct. Under cross examination he was asked to produce his election diary and he was clever enough to send a diary to election commission recording the “distrubences”.The case seemed to be doomed and Subbiah defeated.Reddys were triumphant and celebrating their victory and Subbiah was dejected.
For the next hearing a new witness was called for examination by SRM, the “little “constable who was on bandobust duty that day. He had to give evidence according to his diary, which was also sent to E.C. and can not be tampered with now. He testified that there were no disturbances, election was held peacefully, Subbiah was elected legally and the same was posted on village panchayat office.Reddys were concentrating on big E.O.and ignored the constable, but SRM did not and kept him as last minute surprise.
The contradicting evidences given by two government servants were examined and judgment was in favor of Subbiah vindicating truthful path chosen by SRM.
It was a sensational case in those days, was told to me by SRM when he was in good moods.
Wait for some more cases!!!!!!!!!!
2 comments:
great story. wish we in the next gen could have known him better.
In fact, that night, a lot of suspicious activity was seen in the street. Lots of people wandering around but not bold enough to knock on the door and ask him to give up that paper.
He was a nothing but his moral courage gave him the stature and IN THOSE DAYS PEOPLE WERE AFRAID OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN.
whither India of the present day?
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