Vizag: Dalit man tortured for 'stealing' rooster; Padmanabham PS SI among 3 cops suspended

Visakhapatnam: Three cops including a sub-inspector of Padmanabham police station were placed under suspension for allegedly torturing a Dalit man accused of stealing a rooster.

The victim was identified as Bandevarapu Papu (24), a native of Bandevarapu village under Padmanabham mandal in Vizag district. He was admitted to a government hospital in Vizianagaram.

Visakhapatnam city police commissioner A Ravi Shankar suspended Sub-Inspector R Malleswara Rao and two constables, K Srinivasa Rao, and K Satish, for their negligence.

ACP Disha Police Station Ch Vivekananda was asked to conduct an inquiry into the incident.

According to the villagers, Papu and his friend Yernibabu stole a rooster in the last week of September. Indukuri Rajababu of Bandevapuram village complained about the duo. Later it was resolved in the presence of the elders. Papu agreed to pay the amount later. However, Rajababu changed his mind and complained to the police.

The two constables demanded Rs 5,000 to release them. But when they refused, the constables started custodial torture. When he raised an alarm, his younger brother entered the police station. However, the constables fled the station.

The villagers demanded action against the constables.

Preliminary inquiry revealed that the theft case against Papu and Yernibabu was not registered. The victim’s right leg was fractured in a road accident in January 2023 and he had to undergo surgery. The constable kicked on the same leg which now required another surgery.

A case was registered under SC, ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act.