HYDERABAD: A day after the Banjara Hills police registered cases against AP Minister’s son and his car driver for passing lewd comments at a 20-year-old woman teacher and alleged attempt to grab her by hand, the police on Saturday added the stringent Nirbhaya Act to the FIR.
Notices were served to Susheel, son of AP minister Ravela Kishore Babu and his driver directing them to appear before the police for questioning within 48 hours, indicating that their arrest could be imminent.
Meanwhile, in what appeared to be a desperate cover up bid by the minister’s son, he came out with a ‘pet’ story and tried to shift the blame on the woman.
“On our way down from my quarters, I stopped my vehicle suddenly as I saw a puppy crossing the road in front of my car. As I am really fond of pets, I went and picked it up after which the woman who was near the vehicle, without any specific reason started abusing and shouting. Even before I could react, she created a scene and people started gathering.
She misled the crowd and people started attacking me. The incident was resolved on Friday itself. The crowd joined hands with unknown people whose only intention was political vengeance. This incident is a cruel act by our political opponents,” Susheel stated.
He claimed that some persons were deliberately levelling false allegations against him to damage his reputation. Earlier in the day, a police team visited AP Minister Kishore Babu’s quarters located in Banjara Hills and handed over the notice.
CCTV Footage Supports Allegations
The CCTV footage from the scene shows Susheel’s car slowing down by the side of the woman. Though the woman seems to be perturbed as to why the car is slowing down next to her, she continues to walk faster while the car continues to follow her and slows down further.
A Venkateswar Rao, deputy commissioner of police (DCP), West Zone, said that they have added provisions of Nirbhaya Act against the minister’s son and his car driver and served the notice to appear before the police for investigation. “If they fail to respond to the notices, we will arrest them,” the DCP said adding that they have collected Closed Circuit Television (CCTVs) footage which are being verified.
Meanwhile, AP minister Kishore Babu said the law will take its course. “Banjara Hills police have registered cases against my son and driver on alleged stalking of a woman. Facts will come out during police investigation. I respect the Constitution,” he clarified.
Two days ago, a woman teacher, wife of one Syed Azam, had lodged a complaint with Banajara Hills police, alleging that while she was going to the school, a car was staling her, near road No 13, White House.
Suddenly, the driver of the car, M Appa Rao, passed some comments on her, and asked her to get into the car in which minister’s son Susheel was travelling. Based on the complaint, police registered a case against Susheel and driver Appa Rao under section 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC and Nirbhaya Act.