A special court in Jhansi has sentenced former Union Minister Pradeep Jain Aditya and 13 others to two years in jail in connection with a 2013 road blockade case. The verdict was delivered on Friday evening by the MP/MLA court in Jhansi. The court also imposed fines on all 13 convicts.
The case dates back to June 11, 2013, when Jain and his supporters blocked the Jhansi-Kanpur National Highway for nearly six hours. The protest was held to demand an end to power cuts in the Bundelkhand region.
According to a lawyer, the Congress leader and the others were sentenced in connection with the 2013 road blockade held to protest power cuts.
Earlier in the day, Congress workers had arrived at the court in high spirits, expecting an acquittal. Garlands and flowers had even been arranged in anticipation of a celebratory return. However, the mood shifted dramatically after Judge Anil Kumar pronounced all 13 accused guilty around 6 PM, followed by the sentencing at 7 PM.
After being granted bail on bond, the convicted leaders walked out of court somberly, with many appearing shaken by the unexpected verdict. Addressing the media, Jain reaffirmed his commitment to public service, saying, “In 2013, we held a peaceful protest demanding electricity for the people of Bundelkhand."
