NIA Court sentences man to 10 Years rigorous imprisonment for petrol bomb attack outside Raj Bhavan

A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Poonamallee on Wednesday sentenced 39-year-old Karukka Vinoth to ten years of rigorous imprisonment for his involvement in the 2023 petrol bomb attack outside the Raj Bhavan in Chennai.

The court also imposed a fine of ₹5,000 on Vinoth for hurling two petrol bombs that exploded near the main gate of the Governor’s official residence on October 25, 2023. He was convicted under various provisions of the Explosive Substances Act and for causing damage to public property.

According to police reports, Vinoth was captured on CCTV throwing petrol bombs a few meters from Gate No. 1 of the Raj Bhavan the same gate used by the Governor and visiting dignitaries. Security personnel stationed nearby quickly overpowered him and recovered two unexploded bombs from the scene.

The case was initially handled by the Chennai Police but later transferred to the NIA for a detailed investigation. The agency filed a 680-page chargesheet against Vinoth in January 2024, detailing his actions and intent to create a security threat near a high-profile government establishment.

During the hearing, NIA’s Special Public Prosecutor N. Bhaskaran argued that Vinoth’s actions were deliberate and aimed at endangering the safety of key leaders. He urged the court to award the maximum punishment.

Delivering the verdict on November 12, Special Judge S. Malarvizhi held that the prosecution had proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced Vinoth to ten years of rigorous imprisonment along with the fine.