In a significant development, the Palnadu district police have taken into custody the individuals accused of causing a devastating road accident on National Highway 16 earlier this month. The tragic incident, which occurred near Ganapavaram village under the Chilakaluripet police station limits on December 4, claimed the lives of five engineering students.
Interrogation Reveals Startling Claims
Police began interrogating the accused on Thursday. On the first day of questioning, the accused persons made a series of claims denying any premeditated criminal activity. They asserted that they were not involved in extortion or corruption along the highway. Instead, they claimed their actions were a result of being under the influence of alcohol and attempting to intercept a container truck "just for fun."
For context, the primary accused has been identified as M Venkat Naidu, the son of an assistant sub-inspector (ASI). According to initial allegations, Naidu and his friends, traveling in a Maruti car, had been allegedly impersonating a 'brake inspector' to illegally extort money from heavy vehicle operators on the NH-16.
The Chain of Events Leading to Tragedy
The police reconstruction suggests that on the day of the accident, Naidu and his team attempted to intercept a container truck transporting a tractor. They allegedly blocked the truck's path with their car. This sudden and dangerous obstruction caused a car following the container truck at a close range to ram into it violently. The car carried the five young engineering students, who succumbed to their injuries in the resulting collision.
However, during interrogation, Venkat Naidu specifically denied ever posing as a brake inspector or being engaged in illegal extortion from heavy vehicles. He maintained the alcohol-fueled "fun" narrative as the sole reason for the interception attempt.
Police Probe and Departmental Action
A senior police officer involved in the case stated that the accused will be interrogated for three more days to establish the full facts of the fatal accident and to conclusively determine the role of Venkat Naidu. The investigation aims to verify the claims made by the accused against the initial allegations of systematic extortion.
Concurrently, Palnadu district police chief B Krishna Rao has initiated departmental action against Chilakaluripet sub-inspector (SI) Sk Rahmathulla. The SI faces charges of alleged negligence of duty and violation of conduct rules in connection with the road accident, indicating an internal probe into possible lapses.
The case has sent shockwaves through the region, highlighting grave concerns about road safety, alleged corruption on highways, and the devastating consequences of reckless behavior.
