In a significant development, the Anantapur rural police arrested Thopudurthi Rajasekhar Reddy and Jaipal Reddy on Tuesday on charges of abetment to suicide. Rajasekhar Reddy is the brother of former YSRCP legislator Thopudurthi Prakash Reddy.
Case Background
The case revolves around the mysterious death of 24-year-old Thopudurthi Maheshwar Reddy, whose body was discovered on the railway tracks near Thaticherla, close to Anantapur, in January of the previous year. Initially investigated by the railway police, the case was later transferred to the Anantapur rural police.
Complaint and Allegations
The deceased's father, Malli Reddy, lodged a complaint alleging that his son had differences with the Thopudurthi brothers and suspected their involvement in his death. According to Anantapur rural DSP Srinivasulu, Malli Reddy stated in his complaint that Thopudurthi Rajasekhar Reddy had intimidated his son over phone calls, warning him of dire consequences if he did not delete objectionable social media posts made against the Thopudurthi brothers.
Forensic Evidence
The Anantapur rural police reportedly recovered crucial audio and video files by extracting data from Maheshwar Reddy's broken mobile phone with the assistance of the forensic department. This evidence led to the arrest of both Rajasekhar Reddy and Jaipal Reddy on charges of abetment to suicide and organised crime.
Political Reactions
Following the arrests, scores of YSRCP activists, led by Thopudurthi Prakash Reddy, staged protests condemning the action. Prakash Reddy alleged that his brother was being falsely implicated and accused Raptadu TDP MLA Paritala Sunitha and her son Paritala Sriram of influencing the police to mislead the investigation, despite the railway police having concluded that Maheshwar Reddy's death was a suicide.
Legal Proceedings
The Anantapur rural police produced both accused, Rajasekhar Reddy and Jaipal Reddy, before the local court, which remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody on Tuesday.
