Dr. Sudhakar Rao case: CBI registers case of criminal conspiracy against Andhra cops

Visakhapatnam: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday registered a case against unknown police personnel, public servants, and others for brutally handling anesthetist Dr. Kolaventy Sudhakar Rao.

On the directions of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, Superintendent of Police, CBI, Visakhapatnam, Putta Vimaladitya registered a case under section 120-B, 324, 343, 379, and 506 (Criminal Conspiracy, Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons of means, wrongful confinement for three or more days, theft and criminal intimidation)

It may be recalled that the High Court had directed the CBI to register a case against the policemen who brutally handled Dr. Sudhakara Rao, and complete the investigation within eight weeks.

Based on the statement of Dr. Sudhakar Rao recorded before the Fifth Additional Civil Judge and Fifth Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Visakhapatnam, the CBI officials registered the case.

On March 16, Vizag city police roughed up Sudhakar Rao, tied his hands and dragged him on the road near Akkayyapalem in Vizag city for allegedly creating nuisance in public and abusing the Andhra Pradesh government in an inebriated condition.

In the recorded statement, Sudhakar Rao mentioned that he was working as Civil Assistant Surgeon at the Government Hospital, Narsipatnam, in Vizag district.

“I asked for normal surgical masks from the Superintendent of the Hospital, Mrs. Neelaveni. But I was told that there was no stock. One Mr Nayak, who is working as the District Coordinator Hospital Services, Visakhapatnam, told me that the normal surgical masks were not available in the Central Drug Stores at Vizag,” he said.

Rao also mentioned that he suffers from diabetes, hypertension, and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and is prone to COVID-19.

“Though I applied for leave, I was denied due to ESMA. When I asked masks, RDO replied that anesthetist doesn't require masks since they are not dealing with COVID-19 patients,” he said.

Rao also mentioned that on May 20, his son's motorcycle was stolen by unknown persons who were driving Skoda car near Port Hospital in Vizag city.

“When I went to Fourth Town Police Station to report the incident, the writer of the police station Ramu told me to get the persons who seized the vehicle,” he said.

He said a woman constable caught his hand and screamed to leave her. “The police manhandled me and threatened that they would implicate me in a false case and get me dismissed from service,” Rao added.

He said his mother came to the police station with an advocate but they registered the case against his son for defying the COVID-19 lockdown norms and riding the bike. Police took away his mobile and Rs 1000, he said.

“On May 16, when I was going to Andhra Bank, Anakapalle in my car to deposit Rs10 lakh to pay towards Bajaj Housing Finance, someone asked me for a lift near Kailasapuram. I noticed that someone was following me on a bike. I decided not to go Anakapalle suspecting robbery. I was returning home and halted the vehicle near Port Hospital to pee,” he said.

Roa said two traffic police questioned him about his suspension and other details to provoke him. “Police took away my car keys, mobile phone, and wallet. They also tore my shirt and made me half-naked. They called Police Rakshak vehicle but I tried to leave the place in an auto-rickshaw. I also noticed that Rs 10 lakh was taken away and three liquor bottles were kept in the front seat of my car. Later the police thrashed me indiscriminately,” he said.

In the FIR, the CBI mentioned that a bike, two mobile phones, car keys, Rs 10 lakh cash and wallet will ATM cards were stolen from Sudhakar Rao.

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