RS Praveen Kumar questions police action against BRS

BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar questioned the Telangana police over what he called differential treatment of Congress and BRS leaders. He also raised allegations concerning private property visits, a land dispute, a sexual-favour claim and the POCSO case involving Bandi Sanjay’s son

Hyderabad: BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar on Sunday questioned the police over what he described as differential treatment of ruling Congress and Opposition leaders. He alleged that while Congress leaders were being escorted with police protection during visits to private properties, BRS leaders were being prevented from even holding protests.

Reacting to the visit by Congress MPs Mallu Ravi and Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy to a private property associated with BRS MLA T. Harish Rao, Praveen Kumar questioned whether the police were powerless to stop ruling party leaders who had publicly announced such programmes. A Congress delegation, including Mallu Ravi and Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, visited properties in Aziznagar and Moinabad on Sunday and questioned the ownership of properties allegedly linked to BRS leaders.

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“Does Telangana still have a police system?” he asked, questioning what the Director General of Police was doing when Congress leaders were allegedly visiting private properties with police protection.

Speaking to the media at Telangana Bhavan on Sunday, Praveen Kumar recalled the deployment of a large police contingent during a recent visit by Congress leaders to Harish Rao’s agricultural land in Siddipet. He alleged that BRS leaders were being prevented from even leaving their homes when they planned protests.

He questioned whether there were separate rules for Congress and BRS leaders. “Will the police remain silent if anyone attempted to enter properties of the Chief Minister or other Congress leaders?” he asked.

The BRS leader alleged that the Congress leaders’ visits were aimed at diverting public attention from governance issues and accused them of acting according to a script provided by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

Praveen Kumar demanded an investigation into allegations made by a woman entrepreneur in the advertising sector, who alleged that a person described as close to the Chief Minister sought sexual favours when she sought an opportunity for an advertising contract. He said the police should identify the person, establish the facts and take action in accordance with law. The allegation has also been reported in connection with the woman’s public statement seeking action, though the identity of the person she referred to has not been established in the available reports.

He also alleged a Rs 300-crore land dispute at Thummaluru involving a ruling party MLA and said the BRS would stand by the affected people. He alleged that the ruling Congress was harassing landowners by misusing the 22-A list.

Praveen Kumar also criticised Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar and demanded that he surrender before the Pet Basheerabad police, referring to the POCSO case registered against Sanjay Kumar’s son, Bandi Sai Bhageerath. The Telangana High Court granted Bhageerath regular bail in July, subject to conditions, while the case remains a matter before the legal system.