Masked men allegedly attack KTR’s staff inside Saifabad police station

Hyderabad: A group of masked men allegedly attacked BRS working president KT Rama Rao’s PRO Mahesh and PA Mahender Reddy inside Saifabad police station on Monday. The BRS accused the police of allowing the attack, prompting strong condemnation from the party leadership.

Police registered cases against Mahesh and Mahender Reddy under Sections 132, 352 and 351(2), read with 3(5), of the BNS on a complaint alleging obstruction of officials performing their duties when the BRS legislators were prevented from entering the Assembly premises at Gate no.3 on September 7. They summoned both Mahesh and Mahender Reddy for questioning on Monday, despite the festive occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

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While the questioning was underway, around 15-20 masked men reportedly entered the station premises at about 6.30 pm and attempted to attack the two. The BRS legal team present at the station came to the rescue of the duo, following which the attackers fled. Speaking to the media, the BRS legal team alleged that the attack occurred in the presence of the Saifabad police. The visuals of the masked attackers coming into the police station were captured on the CCTVs of a nearby hotel.

Taking to X, BRS working president Rama Rao termed the incident extremely heinous and part of a political vendetta against the BRS leaders. He asked whether the attackers were Congress workers or policemen in plain clothes wearing masks. He held Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who also handles the Home portfolio, responsible and sought an immediate response. He demanded an inquiry by a sitting judge into the attack.

He said the High Court had directed that no action be taken against Mahesh and Mahender Reddy until further orders, and alleged that the incident was an attempt to intimidate them despite the court directions. He demanded that the CCTV footage from inside and outside the station be preserved, and the attackers be identified and punished. He also sought security and medical treatment to for his injured staffers.

BRSLP deputy leader T Harish Rao suspected the masked personnel to be Task Force police, as they attempted the attack inside the interrogation room. He accused the government of using the police station to carry out an attack. He demanded that the CCTV footage be made public and an FIR registered against those involved. He called the attack inside the police station as evidence for complete failure of law and order in the State under the Congress rule.