VISAKHAPATNAM: Alluri Sitharama Raju District police have arrested eight persons in connection with the attack on Bharosa Party president and pastor Abhinaya Darshan at Neeruthotapalem village in GK Veedhi Mandal, describing it as a pre-planned conspiracy.
Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar said the accused mobilised locals from Dumbriguda and nearby areas through inducements and monetary transactions.
Four men — Thangula Vasanth Kumar, Kumada Premkumar, Thangula Satyaraju, and Kindangi Indra Kumar — physically assaulted Darshan as part of the plan.
Police revealed that the incident was recorded and circulated on social media to create fear, disturb communal harmony, and spread unrest.
Investigators linked the conspiracy to Darshan himself, along with Billa Kiran alias Kiran George, K Benhar, and Bhanu Prasad, noting coordinated mobilisation from Dumbriguda and other villages.
They further connected the case to political activities of the Bharosa Party, founded by Darshan on March 26, 2026 in Kakinada during the first death anniversary of Pastor Praveen Pagadala.
The party has since engaged in campaigns, meetings with pastors, and outreach to minority and Christian communities in agency areas.
Police detailed activities between February 2 and 6, 2026, including meetings in Pedabada village, a campaign in Sunkarimetta, and submission of a memorandum to the GK Veedhi MPDO on May 11, 2026. A rally was also held in Neeruthotapalem involving about 100 villagers under Vasuparthi Timothy, District President of Yesu Kristu Sangam, demanding justice for the attack.
The arrests were made under Sections 189(3), 196(2), 299, 3(5), 302 and 353(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Supplementary inquiries have also exposed Darshan’s personal controversies. Originally from Kadapa, he faces criminal cases in Kadapa and Vizianagaram for dowry harassment, multiple marriages, and intimidation.
His first wife accused him of forcing loans in her name for personal luxuries and later discovering his secret marriages in Vijayawada and Vizianagaram. Police records show charges under IPC Sections 498-A, 494, and the Dowry Prohibition Act.
Officials said Darshan’s activities — from fund raising under party banners to orchestrating rallies and social media campaigns (@andarivaduabhinay, Facebook page) — are under close watch.
