Express News Service
HYDERABAD: When Srinivas Kuchibotla moved to the US in 2006, little did his parents know that one day they would be receiving only his mortal remains. Gripped by pangs of sorrow, Srinivas’ family did not know how to react initially.
At times, they were even hoping the news was false. After all, accepting the loss of a son is devastating. The news was broken late at night on Thursday and the shocked parents were inconsolable ever since.
There are reports that his mother has been in and out of consciousness ever since hearing the news. Media was not allowed access to them.
Srinivas came across as an amiable gentleman and his peers and neighbours have only words of praise.
In what is a possible hate crime, Srinivas, an engineer, was shot dead in Olathe in Kansas, USA. Srinivas (32) and his colleague at Garmin, Alok Reddy Madasani were attacked by a US Navy veteran Adam Purinton (51), following an argument at Austin’s Bar and Grill. The two had gone there for a drink and to watch a game of basketball.
Purinton reportedly shouted at the victims ‘to get out of my country’ and called them ‘terrorists’, before opening fire at the Indian engineers.
US citizen Ian P Grillot tried to stop Adam from fleeing the scene but he too was shot at.
The shocked family felt it was a hate crime and demanded the central government take appropriate action to prevent such incidents in the future.
Srinivas completed graduation from Vidya Jyothi Institute of Technology in 2005 and went to the US next year for higher studies at the University of Texas, El Paso.
Alok graduated in 2006 from Vasavi Engineering College and pursued his master’s degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Since then, the duo has been working in the US and recently both joined Garmin. Srinivas married Hyderabad-native Sunayana in 2012 and both of them returned to the US.
His younger brother and wife are also staying there. His family members are shattered and demanded justice. Elder brother Parushuram Sastry said, “We have requested the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) to send Srinivas’ body home soon.”
The MEA confirmed that two Indian officials — RD Joshi Consulate General of India, Houston and VC H Singh — have rushed to Kansas to help transport the mortal remains of the deceased to India. More: P2
