HYDERABAD: Once a criminal, always a criminal, goes the maxim. But does the leopard change its spots? S Prasad Reddy, once a hardened criminal, is out to prove the proverb wrong.
A person, accused of committing 18 murders and masterminding over a hundred robberies, S Prasad Reddy is now a completely changed man and he is selling tea to earn a livelihood.
Cyberabad police have helped the once dreaded don to establish a tea stall at L B Nagar cross roads by providing Rs 70,000 from Police Station Maintenance Fund and some money pooled in by police officials. “Leading the ruthless life of a gangster for over 24 years, I developed links with Dawood gang, and was involved in extortion,” Prasad Reddy claimed.
A native of Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, Prasad Reddy served a Maoist group for four years. “I was associated with one Ashappa in the year of 2012 who used to work for Dawood. I lived in Mumbai for sometime,” said Prasad Reddy, claiming that he “worked” for some TDP and YSRC leaders also. Six non-bailable warrants were pending against him. However, he now vows to bury the past along with the shovel and wants to lead a peaceful life, besides toiling to take care of his family. Prasad’s violent past might make a layman wonder whether to trust him or not.
“If someone wants to start a fresh life, we counsel them. Some offenders give a miss to us by giving wrong address. In case of people who respond, we identify their skills. If he wants to start some business, we provide the facilities ,” said DCP Naveen Kumar.
Prasad’s tryst with crime came when he was around 20 years old. According to him, he killed some of his rivals by throwing crude bombs. Going to jail, and getting released on bail became routine as he was accused of many murders. During the course, he was attacked too, but managed to escape alive.
At one point of time, he had formed a gang of six people, including a woman, and took to extortion. They managed to amass Rs 12 crore this way. After that, he aligned with Ashappa from the year 2012.
He ran out of luck again when Chandanagar police caught him and recovered ten 9mm foreign made pistols. He was caught again in April 2015. ’What if he commits another offence?’.
When Express posed this question, Prasad Reddy pondered for a while and said, “With all the ill-gotten money, I could not take care of my parents, could not experience their love, for close to 30-years. I was always on the run and fed up with the constant tension in life. I want to change, and Cyberabad Police trusted me,” Prasad said, who now lives with his wife and two sons in the city. He added that more than anything he now wants to take care of his sons, wife, and parents, and there is no scope for offence in life.
“I want to support my family with hard earned money and make my sons grow up as good citizens. If I commit an offence after police gave me this opportunity, I will not only lose the chance, but also set a wrong example.”
“I don’t want to go back to the dark world of crime,” he said.
“I was yearning to change. I requested many police officers, but all my pleas fell on deaf ears. Finally Inspector Mohan Reddy, SI Ravi Kumar and Cyberabad DCP (Crimes) Naveen Kumar trusted me and gave me a new lease of life,” Prasad Reddy said, adding DCP Naveen Kumar counselled him about life with family members, spending time and sharing love with them.
Cyberabad DCP (Crimes) B Naveen Kumar said many offenders approach them seeking help, and they conduct detailed enquiry to know if an offender genuinely wants to change.
“We focus on change. We enquire about their behaviour, check past record and find out if they tried to escape anytime to verify if a offender has changed.”
The Cyberabad police rehabilitated about four offenders by facilitating them to establish tea stall or a tiffin centre. Prasad Reddy wants to develop his business, and help others earn a livelihood.
My Story can be a Movie
Prasad Reddy said that he is eager to let society know his story, and what he lost by leading a criminal life. “I did not get affection from family, did not pursue education, was in wrong company. I want others to know my story. I will narrate it if anyone wants to make a movie on it,” he added.