In a significant disciplinary action, the Palnadu district police in Andhra Pradesh have suspended an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) for actively using his official position to shield his son, the main accused in a tragic road accident that claimed the lives of five engineering students earlier this month.
Internal Probe Uncovers Complicity
The suspension order for ASI Madamanche Srinivasa Rao was issued by Palnadu Superintendent of Police B Krishna Rao on Thursday. This decisive step followed an internal inquiry which conclusively established that the officer, posted at the Narasaraopet DSP office for nearly 15 years, repeatedly intervened to protect his son, Venkata Naidu.
The inquiry found a pattern of misconduct where the ASI leveraged his influence within the police department to obstruct justice whenever cases were registered against his son. This systemic protection allowed Venkata Naidu to continue his alleged criminal activities with impunity.
The Fatal Accident and Criminal Past
The immediate trigger for the probe was the devastating accident on December 4 near Ganapavaram village on the Chilakaluripet bypass. Police investigations revealed that a group led by Venkata Naidu stopped a heavy lorry, attempting to illegally extort money from the driver. This reckless act triggered the collision that instantly killed five engineering students.
CCTV footage from the area was crucial in identifying the suspects, leading to their arrest by Chilakaluripet rural police. However, as investigators dug deeper, the protective role of the accused's father, ASI Srinivasa Rao, came under intense scrutiny.
Further investigations exposed Venkata Naidu's extensive criminal record:
- He was booked in a major 2023 robbery case near Kotappakonda, where he allegedly lured victims by promising to exchange Rs 2,000 notes for a commission of Rs 10 lakh, only to rob them of Rs 50 lakh and a car.
- He faces allegations of trafficking finance vehicles using fake registration numbers and selling them at throwaway prices.
- He is also suspected of involvement in the illegal ganja trade.
Officials confirmed that the inquiry into the ASI's role in the 2023 robbery case had been pending at the SP office for a considerable time, highlighting possible procedural delays.
Departmental Action and Ongoing Cases
Following preliminary findings, the ASI was first transferred to the Veldurthi police station. With the internal inquiry now concluding that he actively abetted and protected his son's unlawful acts, the department moved to suspend him from service.
Disciplinary proceedings are expected to follow the suspension. Meanwhile, the criminal cases against Venkata Naidu for his role in the fatal accident and other alleged crimes are being pursued separately by the police. This case has put a spotlight on the misuse of official power and the mechanisms of accountability within the police force.
