TIRUPATI: YSRC MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, an accused in the alleged attack on Air India (AI) station manager at Tirupati airport, surrendered before the Yerpedu police station in Chittoor district, on Thursday.
Meanwhile, late in the evening the MLA was produced before the Principal Junior Civil judge Subba Reddy at his residence in Srikalahasti where the magistrate remanded him 14 days judicial custody. He was sent to Nellore Central jail.
Bhaskar Reddy surrendered following the Hyderabad High Court rejecting his anticipatory bail plea. Before surrendering to the police, Bhaskar Reddy called Tirupati urban SP Gopinath Jatti, on Wednesday night, and informed him about his plans. He also sent an SMS to the media about his surrender at Yerpedu police station.
Based on the complaint filed by AI airport manager Rajasekhar, a criminal case had been registered against Rajampet MP P Mithun Reddy, Chandragiri MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and 13 others. According to the complaint registered at Yerpedu police station, Mithun Reddy came to the cabin of Rajasekhar at the airport on November 26 afternoon and picked up an ‘argument’ with him regarding boarding passes for his relatives for a flight. He later ‘shouted’ at the manager before allegedly slapping him.
Later, MLA Bhaskar Reddy and followers of the MP manhandled Rajasekhar inside the airport. Charges under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 448 (house-trespass) of IPC were filed against the MP and 14 others. The incident took place when Mithun Reddy, along with some of his relatives, arrived at the airport about 20 to 25 minutes before the scheduled departure of an AI flight to Delhi via Hyderabad, and was denied boarding pass, citing DGCA rules. As per the DGCA rule, boarding counters for domestic flights close at least 45 minutes before departure time.
Meanwhile, MP Mithun Reddy refuted the charge and said: “I did not slap or assault him. I did not do anything like that. If they have the proof they should come out with it. Check CCTV footage, he (the manager) comes to me and apologises (for his behaviour). It is clearly there in the footage.” Later, Mithun Reddy also lodged a complaint at Yerpedu police station against AI manager for abusing him. The MP is yet to be arrested.