New twist in Dr Sudhakar Rao’s case as CBI files FIR against him

Visakhapatnam: In a new twist to the case relating to assault on the suspended doctor K. Sudhakar Rao, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing it following Andhra Pradesh High Court order, has filed FIR against

Dr Sudhakar Rao late on Tuesday night.

Based on the case registered against Dr Sudhakar Rao by the IV Town police in Vizag city, the CBI has filed a FIR against Dr Sudhakar, who is currently undergoing treatment at the Government Hospital for Mental Care (GHMC) in Vizag city, since he was admitted by the police.

The CBI officials said that the investigation in the case was going on as per the AP High Court order and accordingly, they have spoken to the local police.

In the FIR copy, the CBI has mentioned that they have registered case against Dr Sudhakar Rao under Sections 353, 427 and 506 of IPC on charges of assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging his duty. Mischief and Criminal Intimidation case was registered based on the complaint lodged by head constable S. Velagala Venkata Ramana.

Sudhakar Rao's case took several turns from the time he was suspended when his statement on denial of N95 masks and shortage of PPE kits went viral in the first week of April. On May 16, the Vizag city police allegedly mistreated Sudhakar Rao for creating nuisance in public and abusing the state government in an inebriated condition at Akkayyapalem area in Vizag city.

The case took a new twist when the police shifted him to GVMC on May 16. The police then filed cases against Dr Sudhakar Rao for violating lockdown norms, obstructing the police on duty and registered cases against him under sections 188 and 357 of IPC.

As the incident went viral, the High Court took up a letter written to it as PIL and ordered a CBI investigation against the Vizag police. The CBI immediately swung into action and filed FIR against the unknown police and public servants. The CBI also questioned Dr Sudhakar Rao and his family members in connection with the case.

The CBI team also visited the scene of offence and the police station. It seized Dr Sudhakar Rao’s medical records and CCTV footage at KGH. Meanwhile, the IV Town police handed over a 130-page report and CDs in connection with the case to CBI. It has so far questioned 23 people in the case.

Velagala Venkata Ramana, working as police head constable , Road Safety Mobile-IV wing in Vizag city, in his complaint, mentioned that on May 16 he received a message from the Police Control Room to rush to Port Hospital area in Vizag city citing that one person beat the police constable and was creating nuisance.

Ramana also mentioned that when he reached the spot, one person claiming himself as Dr Sudhakar Rao abused the police and the state government. The doctor later snatched the mobile phone from one of the police constables and smashed it by banging against the road. The doctor also removed his shirt and created nuisance and obstructed the police to perform their duties.

Based on a complaint from the head constable Ramana, the CBI, led by SP Putta Vimaladitya registered a case against Dr Sudhakar Rao and investigation is on.