Businessman J. Sudhakar Reddy was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his youngest son, J. Praveen Reddy, from London to join the family for the marriage arrangements of the latter's brother.
But his family, relatives, friends and well-wishers were shocked on Saturday on learning that Praveen was critically injured in London the previous night after he was stabbed in his flat. “A surgery was performed and the presence of his parents or family members is required before deciding on further treatment,” the doctors reportedly told the police there.
Visas, finally
Praveen's father, who lives in Pragathinagar of Vanasthalipuram, appealed to the government to provide visas immediately so that the family could attend to their ailing son. Responding to his appeals through media, Union Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna called him up and assured all help.
The Minister told him that the British Consulate had promised to provide visas and they should go to Chennai. Mr. Sudhakar Reddy and his cousin, Madhusudhan Reddy, will fly to London on Sunday or Monday depending on the availability of flights.
Praveen's mother Jyothi is in a state of shock.
Twenty-six-year-old Praveen is pursuing his PG programme in the London School of Business Management.
Call to parents
Two days ago, Praveen called up his parents to inform them that he would join the family by February 17 and he had also booked flight tickets. He was the youngest of the businessman's three sons. The eldest one, J. Rajashekhar Reddy, is living in the U.S.
“We were busy preparing for the marriage and planning to complete some formalities on February 17. But this news has shattered us,” the businessman said.
Last call
A few minutes before the attack, Praveen had spoken to his eldest brother. He was the first to be informed by the police about the attack.
Mr. Rajashekhar Reddy, in turn, called up his parents in Hyderabad and broke the news. “We're yet to know the details but they said Praveen was lying outside the flat with bleeding wounds,” Vijay Kumar, a neighbour said.
Praveen studied did his B.Com. in a private college here before heading for London in 2010.
