The contentious Tuni train-burning case, which took place under the watch of then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, is back in the news following a dramatic government about-face this week. The event, which happened at a massive protest organized by then minister Mudragada Padmanabham, was all about demanding 5% reservation for the Kapus in education and jobs. As a part of the agitation, demonstrators halted and set on fire the Ratnachal Express at Tuni, causing huge public and political outcry throughout the state.
After a long legal process, Vijayawada Railway Court on May 1, 2023, acquitted Mudragada Padmanabham and other accused on the grounds of failure to establish concrete evidence. This verdict was delivered over a year ago.
However, in a turn of events over a year and a half later, on June 3, 2024, the Andhra Pradesh government issued a Government Order (G.O.) instructing officials to lodge an appeal in the High Court against the Railway Court’s ruling. This action was condemned by many immediately, particularly within political circles. There were apprehensions that taking the appeal could hurt the government’s relationship with actor-politician Pawan Kalyan and the Kapu community, who were instrumental in helping the ruling coalition during the latest state elections.
Feeling the political fallout, however, the government moved quickly. On June 4, 2024, it formally rescinded the previous order and assured that it would not pursue an appeal. A new G.O. was issued clarified that it will not move the High Court against the Railway Court’s verdict on the Tuni incident.