The death of a 17-year-old boy, who was run over by a car driven by a Naval officer on the Telugu Talli flyover (Asilametta) took a new twist, with a family from Srikakulam claiming that the victim was their son.
The family members identified the deceased as Nakka Janardhan Rao and not Nandi Raju as claimed by a beggar Nandi Appa Rao, who had identified the victim as his son and claimed compensation. The police, believing his words, handed over the body to him for cremation with the help of NGO Prema Samajam.
Soon after the accident Appa Rao and Demudu, criminal, approached the police and lodged a complaint. Appa Rao stated he was the father of the accident victim, according to the Two Town Traffic Inspector Swami Naidu.
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Meanwhile, victim’s elder brother N Chinnaya received a phone call from the Lions Club trustee M Srinivasa Rao of Visakhapatnam informing him about the death of Janardhan Rao. Srinivasa Rao said he had offered Janardhan Rao work at his house, a week ago before the incident.
The Trust members distribute food to the destitute everyday. When Srinivasa Rao noticed Janardhan Rao near the flyover, he immediately offered him work as he was healthy and there was no need for him to beg.
Janardhan Rao had worked for two days at the house of Srinivasa Rao and subsequently sought his permission to go to his hometown to bring his belongings and left. The same night he was killed in the road accident. Srinivasa Rao went to the accident spot as part of daily routine and found that Janardhan Rao was killed in the incident. He called up his elder brother Chinnaya on the next day and informed him of the accident.
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Assistant Commissioner of Police (East) A. Narasimha Murthy said they confirmed that Janardhan Rao was the second son of Nakka Kondaiah and Krishna. The police launched a search for Nandi Appa Rao and his friend Demudu.
The police, however, said they will refer to conduct a DNA test, if necessary for confirmation of the parents of the victim.