Hyderabad: Police registered a case against five people, including an MLA’s personal assistant, in connection with the Rajender Reddy death after he succumbed to injuries sustained in a self-immolation attempt. Bethelli Rajender Reddy, husband of the former Gundlapalli sarpanch, died late Wednesday night after undergoing treatment for 10 days.
According to the report, Rajender Reddy had attempted self-immolation at a political leader’s camp office after alleging harassment and the filing of false cases against him. The allegations have been made by his family and supporters, and independent verification was not available.
His death triggered protests by relatives and villagers, who demanded the immediate arrest of Muraleedhar Reddy, the personal assistant to the local MLA. Protesters first demonstrated outside Karimnagar Civil Hospital before taking the body to Gundlapalli after the post-mortem.
The demonstrators later placed the body outside Muraleedhar Reddy’s residence and intensified their protest. Consequently, police resorted to a lathi charge after the situation turned tense, while traffic on the Rajiv Highway remained disrupted for some time.
Rajender Reddy death sparks protests and arrest demand
Family members and villagers alleged that Rajender Reddy had faced harassment after questioning alleged irregularities. They accused the MLA and his personal assistant of responsibility for the events leading to his death. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Former MLA Rasamayi Balakishan expressed condolences and demanded the immediate arrest of Muraleedhar Reddy. He also assured support to the bereaved family.
Furthermore, police registered a case against Muraleedhar Reddy and four others under various legal provisions. Officers assured the family that legal action would follow, after which relatives proceeded with the funeral rites.