Tea-stall owner self-immolation case: Hyderabad police prevent MLA Prashanth Reddy from visiting Bheemgal

Former Minister and Balkonda MLA Vemula Prashanth Reddy was placed under house arrest before his planned visit to Bheemgal to pay respects to tea-stall owner Polasa Sudhakar, who died after setting himself ablaze at a police station.

Hyderabad: Former Minister and Balkonda MLA Vemula Prashanth Reddy was placed under house arrest at his Hyderabad residence on Tuesday ahead of his visit to Bheemgal to pay his last respects to tea-stall owner Polasa Sudhakar, who succumbed to burn injuries after attempting suicide at the Bheemgal police station.

Prashanth Reddy condemned the police action, stating that he was only visiting his constituency to console Sudhakar’s family and pay his last respects. He questioned the need to prevent him from travelling to Bheemgal.

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Sudhakar poured petrol over himself and set himself ablaze on the Bheemgal police station premises on Monday. He later succumbed to his injuries. His family alleged police harassment, while Nizamabad Police Commissioner Sai Chaitanya said there was no wrongdoing by the police.

Prashanth Reddy termed Sudhakar’s death as a “State murder” and demanded a comprehensive and impartial inquiry into the circumstances leading to the incident. He also demanded that Bheemgal Sub-Inspector (SI) Tirupati be dismissed and booked for attempted murder. He sought Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia for Sudhakar’s family, a government job for one family member and immediate financial and legal assistance.

Calling his house arrest undemocratic, Prashanth Reddy said he would continue the democratic fight until justice was done to Sudhakar’s family. He said the BRS would approach the Human Rights Commission seeking action against the police officials responsible.