Hyderabad: Ex-BRS MLA Narender Reddy arrested in Vikarabad DC Prateek Jain attack case

Hyderabad: Police on Wednesday arrested former Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Kodangal MLA Patnam Narender Reddy for his alleged involvement in the attack on Vikarabad district collector Prateek Jain, Kodangal Area Development Authority (KADA) chairman Venkat Reddy in Lagcherla of Kodangal.

The arrest follows growing tensions over the confrontation.

Narender Reddy had unsuccessfully contested against Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy from Kodangal Assembly Constituency in Vikarabad.

Narender Reddy is the brother of Patnam Mahender Reddy who is now in the Congress. He was arrested at KBR Park when he was on a morning walk.

Narender Reddy was shifted to Vikarabad DPT Center from his residence in Film Nagar. One of the accused in the attack, B Suresh, a resident of Manikonda is reportedly a follower of Narender Reddy who is now absconding.

Four special teams were constituted by the police to trace the identity of Suresh, who instigated the villagers allegedly at the instance of the MLA.

Tension prevailed at Lagcherla on Monday after some villagers protesting the acquisition of their lands for a proposed 'pharma village' allegedly attacked the vehicles of the district authorities.

The protesters also attacked and injured Additional Collector Linga Naik and a DSP Srinivas Reddy when they went to rescue the Collector.

The incident occurred during a public hearing on land acquisition by the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC).

Vikarabad, IGP multi zone-II V. Satyanarayana reviewed the situation on the same day and told the media that they had identified Suresh from Hyderabad who was posing as a farmer and indulging in rioting. He also spoke to Narender Reddy multiple times over the phone when the attack on Prateek Jain and other officials occurred in Lagcherla.

The police reportedly also took Narendra Reddy’s phone to verify his call data to ascertain his role in the attack on the Collector.

The police are carrying out their investigation based on the cell phone tower location. Further investigation is on.

Ex-BRS MLA Patnam Narender Reddy remanded to 14 days judicial custody

A local court in Kodangal on Wednesday remanded Narender Reddy to 14 days (till November 27) of judicial custody for his alleged involvement in the attack on Vikarabad Collector Prateek Jain and other officials in Lagcherla.

After conducting a medical examination, Narender Reddy was produced before the Court. Later, the police would shift the former MLA to Cherlapally Central Jail.

Ex-MLA 'confesses' attack on Telangana officials under direction of KTR: Police

Based on a complaint filed by Vikarabad DSP Srinivas Reddy, three cases were registered by the Bomraspet police under 61(2) 191(4),132,109,121(1) 126(2)324 r/w190BNS Sec 30 of PDPP Act, 128 of BNSS in connection with the violence at Lagcherla. All the sections filed were non-bailable cases like attempt to murder, assault, obstructing the duties of employees.

Apart from that, the authorities also suspended internet services in Dudyala mandal.

In all, as many as 46 persons were named as accused in the attack. The police arrested 16 persons on Tuesday and remanded them for 14 days. Fiver more persons were arrested on Wednesday and sent them to judicial remand, the police said.

In the remand report, the police stated that 30 persons including Suresh are absconding. All of them attacked the Collector and other officials in Lagcherla with sticks, stones and chilli powder as part of their plan. Suresh who has a history sheet hatched a plan to attack the authorities as soon as they arrived in the village.

The police also recovered the stones and sticks that were used in the attack against the Collector and other officials.

In their remand report, the police also stated that based on confessions from previously arrested individuals, Reddy emerged as the "chief conspirator."

According to the report, he orchestrated the conspiracy and abetted others with the intent to "destabilise the government".

Police alleged in their report that during interrogation, "Reddy confessed to conspiring and abetting others to destabilise the government, gain political mileage, and defame the Telangana government under instructions from party leaders, including KT Rama Rao".

Reddy also admitted to frequently contacting another accused, B Suresh, who is absconding, to monitor the execution of their plans, the report stated.

Narender Reddy named A-1 in attack on Vikarabad Collector: IGP Satyanarayana

Patnam Narender Reddy's role is crucial in the attack on Vikrabad Collector Prateek Jain and other officials in Lagcherla, said Vikarabad, IGP multi zone-II V. Satyanarayana.

Narender Reddy, charged with conspiracy and abetment, has been named the prime accused in the case.

"We have filed a petition the court seeking custody of Narender Reddy. The court will hear the custody arguments tomorrow. Among the 42 persons identified by the police after the attack, 19 of them doesn't have a land in the village. The villagers of Lagcherla were not involved in the attack. The attack on the Collector was well-planned," Satyanaraya said.

The IGP further said that few more would be taken into custody in connection with the case. "We came to know that the accused were staying in and around Hyderabad. Several farmers also left free after questioning them," he added.

BRS condemns Narender Reddy's arrest, terms it as conspiracy

Reacting to Narender Reddy's arrest, BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) said the former MLA's arrest was a proof of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's dominion rule in the state.

He claimed that the government is using unlawful arrests and intimidation to try to quell dissent.

"The arrest of Narender Reddy is a glaring illustration of Revanth Reddy's repressive policies, which include the threat of arrest for anyone who challenges the government. The detention of a former MLA for just addressing his supporters is disheartening. With undemocratic arrests, this government is trying to put an end to public uprisings in Lagcherla," the BRS leader said.

KTR also claimed that the government was planning to blame BRS for the turmoil in Revanth Reddy's home constituency of Kodangal. "Such actions would not deter the BRS," he cautioned.

Since the Telangana statehood agitation, we have experienced comparable repression. "They are wrong if they believe that arrests and criminal charges would frighten us. Our fight will be stronger the more they try to suppress us,” he said.

In addition, former minister and BRS Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao called for Narender Reddy's immediate release and denounced his detention.

"It is disgusting to witness a government using false accusations and nighttime arrests to silence anyone who questions its policies. Does this represent the principles of Indiramma Rajyam? placing farmers under arrest to make room for pharmaceutical businesses in agricultural areas," Harish Rao asked.

The former minister also declared that the BRS would keep fighting the oppressive Congress dictatorship and reveal its shortcomings and wrongdoings before the public.