The Hindu : High drama as TDP MLA `secures' relative's release

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 21, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

High drama as TDP MLA `secures' relative's release

By Our Staff Reporter

GUNTUR Jan. 20. A high-voltage drama ensued in front of the LVR & Sons Club and Reading Room for over four hours this morning here with the Telugu Desam legislator from the Vemur constituency, Alapati Rajendra Prasad, entering the scene to get his relative released from police custody.

A picket was posted in front of the club by the police to prevent the members from entering its premises and playing cards following the instructions of the Superintendent of Police. Mr. Venkata Rao along with the Arundelpet SI, T. Murali Krishna, and a posse of policemen began implementing the orders from 8.30 a.m. The members, however, sat near the shops located in the club complex. It may be recalled that the cards game was stalled by the former SP and the club resumed it only 15 days ago.

On being prevented by the policemen, some members sat in front of a Sangam Dairy outlet located in the complex. While the shopkeeper, Ramakrishna, was leaving for home after closing down the shutters, the CI wanted the former to ask those sitting in front of the shop to leave the place. Following an argument between the CI and the shopkeeper, the police dragged Mr. Ramakrishna into a jeep and took him to the Arundelpet police station.

On coming to know about this incident, the Vemur MLA reached the place. Before his arrival, he also spoke to the SI, Mr. Murali Krishna, and urged him to release Mr. Ramakrishna. The MLA alleged that the police behaved in a high-handed manner and thrashed Mr. Ramakrishna who had nothing to do with the club or the activities going on there.

Mr. Rajendra Prasad asked the CI as to why the police beat Mr. Ramakrishna. The CI, who told the legislator that nobody was beaten up, however, admitted that Mr. Ramakrishna was dragged into the police jeep as the latter was in an ``inebriated condition'' and used foul language at him (CI).

Meanwhile, Mr. Ramakrishna, who was released, reached his shop. The legislator took him along with him and went to the CI and again picked an argument with him. Mr. Rajendra Prasad flayed the police officer for picking up an innocent person who had nothing to do with the club. He sought to know what was the Police Department doing when members had been playing cards in the club for the last 20 days. The legislator told the CI that his relative was alleging that the police had beaten him. The CI, however, denied the charge. The MLA said to the CI that he was foisting false cases on people. The CI, in return, told the MLA that the latter was organising false complaints.

Later, the MLA left the place.

Mr. Venkata Rao told The Hindu that Mr. Ramakrishna used foul language against him and that was why the police dragged him into the jeep. He also said that the shopkeeper was in a drunken condition.

However, Mr. Rajendra Prasad said Mr. Ramakrishna did not have drinking habit. The police could have subjected him to alcohol test.

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