Overview
- An NIA special court in Poonamallee convicted Vinoth alias ‘Karukka’ Vinoth and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment with a ₹5,000 fine, carrying six months’ simple imprisonment in default.
- The court found he hurled two petrol bombs at Raj Bhavan Gate-I on October 25, 2023, causing an explosion and damage, and police later recovered additional unexploded bottles.
- Charges included IPC Section 124 and provisions of the Explosive Substances Act, with the court noting prosecution evidence from 17 witnesses, 57 documents and 10 material objects as the defence offered none.
- The NIA chargesheet attributed his actions to anger over the Governor’s refusal to assent to his premature release and a stated grievance over not releasing Muslim prisoners.
- A day after sentencing, he attempted to throw footwear at Sixth Additional Sessions Judge Pandiarajan during a separate TASMAC case hearing, leading the court to order future production via video conference and tighten security.