Telangana Rashtra Samiti MLA from Mahabubabad Bhanoth Shankar Naik was arrested by the town police and later released on personal bond here on Thursday.
The MLA was arrested based on a complaint lodged by District Collector Preeti Meena for the MLA’s ‘indecent and disrespectful’ behavior towards the woman officer at a public meeting here on Wednesday. The MLA later apologized to her personally.
Late night a case has been registered against the MLA in the town police station. According to Superintendent of Police N. Koti Reddy, a case Cr No 230/2017 under Section 353, 354 and 509 of Indian Penal Code was booked against the MLA following a complaint by Ms. Preeti Meena.
Notices issued
The Superintendent of Police said Thorrur DSP G. Rajaratnam was appointed as investigating officer. “The MLA has been arrested on Thursday and issued notices under Section 41 (a) Criminal Procedure Code in this case after completion of due legal formalities,” he said.
The charge sheet would be filed in the case as per the merits and findings of the investigations in due course, he added.
Mr. Shankar Naik was in Mahabubabad on Thursday and after being released on bail from the police station, he took part in Haritha Haram programme in Kesamudram mandal and elsewhere. Meanwhile it was learnt District Collector Preeti Meena left for Hyderabad to attend the general body meeting of IAS Officers Association on the issue.
Several public organizations like Progressive Organisation of Women took out a rally in the town demanding stringent action against the MLA for his misbehaviour with the woman officer.
Suspension demanded
In Warangal, District Congress Committee president Naini Rajender Reddy demanded that the MLA be suspended from the party immediately. He also wanted the Chief Minister to take action against Minister Thummala Nageswar Rao and MLA M. Yadagiri Reddy who reportedly rebuked government officials.
“This is very bad government which transferred the Peddapalli District Collector just for giving appointment to Joint Action Committee leader Kodandaram,” he pointed out.
The Congress leader appealed to government officers to work impartially and not to toe the line of the ruling party leaders who were trying to amass wealth. The impartial service would be rewarded by people ultimately, he said.
