HYDERABAD: A dramatic twist emerged in the Sangareddy cashier theft case when the accused allegedly attempted suicide by touching a live electric wire near Turkapally village.
The incident, which had been kept under wraps by the police, came to light only after the cashier was hospitalised in critical condition. The man, identified as 46-year-old Mahadev Appanna, worked as a cashier at Samarth Cotton Mill in Turkapally.
According to sources, the Cotton Corporation of India had transferred ₹1 crore to the company last Thursday to be paid to farmers from whom cotton had been purchased. Of this amount, Appanna disbursed ₹40.5 lakh among the farmers. He then informed the mill owner, Vivek, that the remaining ₹59.5 lakh had gone missing from the company locker.
Upon reaching the mill, Vivek found the locker open and empty. He immediately alerted DSP Narayankhed Venkateshwar Reddy. Subsequently, DSP Reddy and Inspector Chandrashekar Reddy took Appanna into custody for questioning.
After several hours of interrogation, Appanna reportedly told the police that he could show them the money if taken back to the mill. Upon arrival, however, he stepped out of the vehicle and touched a live wire near a transformer in an apparent suicide attempt.
The police promptly called a 108 ambulance, and he was rushed to the government hospital in Sangareddy. Due to the critical nature of his injuries, doctors recommended that he be transferred to Hyderabad for further treatment.
Family members and friends have alleged that Appanna was driven to the act due to police harassment. The police have so far declined to comment on the incident.