Mattewada police books case against ex-MLA Vinay Bhaskar, 14 others

Mattewada police booked former MLA Dasyam Vinay Bhaskar and 14 BRS leaders following a tense incident during their visit to MGM Hospital in Hanamkonda. Police alleged obstruction of duties, intimidation and assault during the confrontation at the hospital

Hanamkonda: Mattewada police have registered a case against former MLA Dasyam Vinay Bhaskar and 14 other BRS leaders in connection with the incident that took place during their visit to MGM Hospital on Tuesday.

The former MLA and others visited MGMH after learning about the collapse of portions of roof slabs at the RICU and physiotherapy departments on Tuesday, as well as at the Arogyasri ward of the hospital last Sunday. They were prevented by police from entering the hospital, leading to tense moments during which the former MLA was injured and hospitalised.

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Based on a complaint lodged by Mattewada Sub-Inspector of Police B Srinivas, an FIR under Sections 132 (assault to deter a public servant from discharging duty), 121(1) (causing hurt to a public servant), 329(3) (criminal trespass), 126(2) (punishment for wrongful restraint), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) and 189(2) (unlawful assembly), read with Section 190 of the BNS, was registered against the BRS leaders.

The SI stated that, as per the orders of senior officers and based on a written request from the MGMH superintendent, a police bandobast was arranged at all the gates of the hospital. The action was taken as BJP activists had visited the hospital on Monday, causing inconvenience to patients, and it was learnt that BRS, Cockroach Janta Party and CPM party workers might visit the hospital on Tuesday.

When the BRS activists arrived at the hospital, police informed them that they should not enter the hospital without permission. However, they did not heed the instructions, questioned and allegedly abused the police, shouted slogans against them, obstructed them from discharging their duties and intimidated them, he complained.

The SI, Srinivas, further alleged that during the scuffle, Vinay Bhaskar assaulted him on his right shoulder, while special party personnel also sustained minor injuries in the incident. Further, by staging a dharna at Gemini Junction without permission, they caused inconvenience to the general public and vehicular traffic, he added.