Tension at Punjagutta police station after altercation over breath analyser test

Tension prevailed at Punjagutta police station after an altercation between police and advocate S. Subbarao in a cheating case linked to folk singer Mangli. A breath analyser test showed alcohol presence, which Subbarao disputed, alleging harassment. No case was registered.

Hyderabad: Tension prevailed for some time at the Punjagutta police station after a brief altercation broke out between police personnel and S Subbarao, advocate and complainant in a recent cheating case involving folk singer Mangli alias Satyavathi, who had accompanied victims in connection with a case on Monday.

According to police officials, Subbarao was subjected to a breath analyser test on suspicion of alcohol consumption. Officials stated that the test recorded a reading of 27 points, indicating the presence of alcohol.

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However, Subbarao disputed the result, arguing that the reading should have been higher if he had consumed alcohol recently. He claimed the trace could be due to alcohol consumed the previous night and insisted that he had not consumed any liquor on the day. Alleging harassment, he accused the police of deliberately targeting him.

The situation escalated into a heated argument between the advocate and the police personnel for a brief period inside the station.

Police further clarified that no drunken driving case was registered against Subbarao and maintained that the test was conducted only as a precaution and to counsel him against driving under the influence.

Since the reading was within permissible limits, officials said they merely advised him, but he chose to argue, officials said.

The incident created a tense situation for some time, before the police brought under control.