ONGOLE: The death of one B Paripurna Chandra Rao (27) of Nayanivaripalli of Vetapalem mandal in police custody triggered protests by his relatives at the Chirala government hospital on Wednesday.
On receipt of information that Rao had died, his relatives and local MLA Amanchi Krishna Mohan rushed to the hospital.
The relatives alleged that Vetapalem SI Chandrasekhar detained Rao and took him to Karamchedu police station where he died due to police torture.
The MLA demanded that a criminal case be registered against the Vetapalem SI and wanted a post-mortem on the body. Rao’s widow Lakshmi and other relatives also demanded that the SI should be prosecuted.
On instructions of District Collector Sujatha Sarma, Ongole Revenue Divisional Officer went to Chirala and conducted a preliminary inquiry.
Meanwhile, Chirala Deputy Superintendent of Police P Jayarama Raju denied that Rao died due to police torture.
He said that Rao was taken into custody in the early hours of Wednesday in connection with a theft that occurred on January 31 at the residence of Anjaneya Prasad in Vetapalem, During the travel to the Vetapalem police station, Rao had a seizure. The police immediately took him to the Chirala Government hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.
Chirala Govt hospital Superintendent P Prasanna Raju said that Rao died in the hospital while under treatment. After an inquest was conducted in the presence of Ongole RDO K Srinivas Rao, the body was shifted to RIMS, Ongole for a post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile, by Prakasam Superintendent of Police Ch Srikanth has directed Kavali Deputy Superintendent of Police to inquire into the incident. Further action would be taken after the report is filed, he said.
Man Hacked to Death
Ongole: A 35-year-old granite marking coolie, Sahadev Mahatho from Gahlati village in Purulia district of West Bengal state was found murdered at Naga Exports Granite Polishing unit in Industrial Estate here on Wednesday morning. He apparently was hacked to death, as there were deep cuts on his throat and other parts of body, which lay in a pool of blood in a room at the workplace where he slept last night. According to sources, the victim joined the unit only 10 days ago. His elder brother Jaya Dwivedi works in another industry in the town. On receiving information, the Taluk police rushed to the spot. Inspector of police S Antony Raj is investigating the case.