YSRCP Alur MLA Virupakshi, son arrested following ‘attack’ on Dalit family
Tension prevailed at Sangala and Nemakallu villages of Chippagiri mandal following the clash and also at the Chippagiri police station with the YSRCP leaders staging a protest demanding the release of the arrested MLA YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) legislator from Alur B. Virupakshi and his followers were arrested in the early hours of Sunday for their alleged involvement in the attack on a Dalit family following a clash between the followers of the YSRCP and TDP activists. Tension prevailed at Sangala and Nemakallu villages of Chippagiri mandal following the clash and also at the Chippagiri police station with the YSRCP leaders staging a protest demanding the release of the arrested MLA. According to information reaching here, an argument allegedly broke out between a TDP activist from Nemakallu and a YSRCP activist from Sangala on some issue over phone. The issue allegedly escalated with Mr. Virupakshi visiting Nemakallu in support of his follower. This led to attacks and counter attacks, with the TDP alleging that the MLA and his followers entered the house of a party SC activist, Nagaraju, and attacked him and his wife. It was alleged that the clothes of Mr. Nagarajau’s wife were torn by the mob. Tension prevailed for some time as the two groups attacked each other. The vehicles of Mr. Virupakshi and TDP leader Purusotham were damaged. Mr. Virupakshi’s brother suffered an injury on his hand. The police reached the village and brought the situation under control. Well past midnight, the police reached the residence of Mr. Virupaksha and picked him and his son Chandrasekhar from their residence at Chippagiri. Fourteen YSRCP activists were also arrested. TDP Alur Assembly incharge Vaikuntam Jyothi held the YSRCP responsible for the clashes and alleged that the followers of the MLA attacked Mr. Purushotham, TDP mandal convener, and damaged his car. YSRCP leaders condemned the midnight arrest of Mr. Virupakshi, describing it as blatant misuse of police machinery. They claimed that the MLA rushed to Chippagiri only after receiving a distress call from YSRCP activist Giri, whose life, they said, was under threat. Instead of protecting the victim, the TDP workers attacked the MLA and his brother with stones and sticks, they alleged. The police registered attempt-to-murder and SC/ST cases against the victims, they added. YSRCP leaders also condemned the manner of the arrest, stating that the police broke open the doors of the MLA’s residence at around 3 a.m., seized CCTV hard disks, and forcibly took away the MLA and his son without allowing them to even change their clothes. Hareesh P Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Man gets life term for raping Dalit woman on false marriage promise in Vizag
Visakhapatnam: A court in Visakhapatnam has sentenced Ch Jagadeeswara Rao (32) to rigorous life imprisonment for raping a Dalit woman under the false pretext of marriage. The court also fined him Rs 2.5 lakh on the convict. The court also sentenced Ch Prabhavati to six months sentence and slapped a fine for insulting the victim woman on caste basis and the court also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on P Triveni, a relative of Jagadeeswara Rao, for threatening the victim woman over phone. The police said Jagadeeswara Rao repeatedly sexually assaulted the 22-year-old woman with false pretext of marriage. Based on the complaint, the MR Peta police registered a case in 2019 and arrested Rao. After regular trials, the court sentenced Rao and the government to pay Rs two lakh as compensation to the victim woman. TNN Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
CPI(M) accuses governments of neglecting dalits, warns of protests for house site pattas
Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao on Sunday (July 19, 2026) accused the Union and State governments of neglecting the welfare of Dalits, tribals, and economically weaker sections. He said that the party would intensify its agitation for the allotment of house site pattas and implementation of welfare schemes. Mr. Babu Rao visited Devineni Gandhipuram in Payakapuram under Vijayawada’s 61st Division, where he and other CPI(M) leaders interacted with residents and reviewed civic and welfare issues. According to a press release by the CPI(M), the residents alleged that successive governments had failed to issue house site pattas despite repeated assurances. They also claimed that the allotment of TIDCO houses and house sites for the poor had remained confined to announcements. The residents further alleged that the scheme providing up to 200 units of free electricity to Dalit and tribal households was not being implemented effectively and complained of delays in extending welfare schemes, loans, and other benefits meant for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Later, addressing the gathering, Mr. Babu Rao alleged that while the government was allocating vast tracts of land to corporate entities, it had failed to confer ownership rights on poor families who had been living in the colonies for decades. He accused public representatives and officials of delaying the issuance of pattas on one pretext or another. He also criticised the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation for focusing on the beautification of major roads while neglecting civic infrastructure and basic amenities in peripheral localities inhabited by the poor. Government and municipal lands were allegedly being encroached upon even as landless families continued to await house sites, he alleged. CPI(M) central city secretary Bhupathi Ramana Rao, committee member Ch. Srinivas and local leaders Melika Srinivas, Venkateswara Rao and Suribabu were among those present. G V R Subba Rao G.V.R. Subba Rao Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
YSRCP extends Rs 10 lakh aid to Dalit youth’s family
Vijayawada: The YSRCP on Sunday extended financial and humanitarian assistance to the family of Dalit youth Kranthi Kumar, who allegedly died by suicide following police harassment in Krishnalanka. Acting on the directions of YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, senior party leaders handed over Rs 10 lakh in financial assistance to the bereaved family. The assistance was handed over by YSRCP NTR district president Devineni Avinash, former MLAs Malladi Vishnu, Monditoka Jagan Mohana Rao and TJR Sudhakar Babu, former MP Nandigam Suresh, and SC Cell State working president Kommuri Kanaka Rao. The party also announced that it would bear the educational expenses of Kranthi Kumar’s three children. Of the total assistance, Rs 5 lakh was deposited in the name of his daughter, while Rs 2.5 lakh each was deposited in the names of his two sons. YSRCP further assured free medical treatment for Kranti Kumar’s son, who is reportedly suffering from a spinal tumour and has been shifted to a hospital in Hyderabad. Addressing the media, YSRCP leaders alleged that the coalition government had failed to ensure justice for the victim’s family and attempted to suppress the case initially. They claimed that the case was booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act only after the intervention of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. The leaders further alleged that the government had failed to provide statutory benefits, including compensation, employment to the victim’s wife and other welfare assistance. They demanded the immediate arrest of Circle Inspector Nagaraju, who has been named in the case, and asserted that the party would continue to support the family and pursue justice until those responsible are brought to book. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Jagan slams Andhra govt over ‘suicide’ of Dalit man, ‘police harassment’
Vijayawada, YSRCP supremo Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday termed the alleged suicide of Perupogu Kranthi Kumar here as a “tragic symbol of the collapse of law and order” in Andhra Pradesh. A video of a Dalit taxi driver, Kumar, had gone viral recently, in which he is seen accusing the former Krishna Lanka police inspector SSVV Naga Raju of forcing him to take the extreme step. He ended his life by consuming poison on May 21. Naga Raju is the inspector who was arrested for his alleged role in the custodial murder and cremation of Gade Sai Krishna. “Kumar, who died by suicide after recording a selfie video detailing months of police harassment and naming former Krishna Lanka Circle Inspector Nagaraju and other police personnel, has become another tragic symbol of the collapse of the policing system in Andhra Pradesh,” said Jagan, in a press release. The former CM visited Kumar’s family today and consoled the deceased’s family. Describing Kumar’s family condition as “heartbreaking”, the opposition leader said they are mired in poverty. According to Jagan, Kumar had no convictions against him, and minor cases registered nearly eight years ago had already been closed and no punishment had ever been imposed. “Yet, he (Kumar) was forced to report to the police station every day for nearly three months, subjected to continuous harassment that ultimately drove him to take his own life. Such incidents demonstrate how dangerously the police system has deteriorated.” Jagan alleged that Kumar had been summoned to the police station every day for three months, subjected to harassment, and “forced by the police to do things he should never have been compelled to do.” “Despite such a clear video statement, “no action has been taken against those responsible,” the YSRCP chief said. Further, Jagan highlighted that Kumar’s alleged police harassment and suicide occurred in the “state capital”, within a short distance from Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s residence and the offices of Vijayawada Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhar Babu, Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta and Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha. Even after Kumar’s father personally showed the dying declaration video to the police commissioner following his son’s suicide, no action was initiated, Jagan claimed. Seeking to know why those responsible continue to be allegedly protected, the former CM claimed that a “protection racket” is operating in the capital itself. Referring to the disappearance of CCTV footage from Krishna Lanka Police Station, Jagan said two deaths had occurred within a month under the jurisdiction of this police station—one custodial death and one suicide. “Yet, mandatory CCTV footage from the police station has vanished. One remand report states that footage from May 1 to June 1 is unavailable, while another report says footage for the past 18 months is missing,” said Jagan, questioning how CCTV footage from a police station could simply disappear and asked whether no backup systems existed. According to the YSRCP leader, this clearly indicates that “illegal activities are being systematically carried out inside police stations, where people are assaulted, tortured and even killed, while complaints are simply ignored and discarded.” Lashing out at the TDP-led government for allegedly failing to register a case despite the seriousness of Kumar’s suicide, Jagan said an SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act case should have been registered. The former CM promised that YSRCP would provide every possible assistance, including legal support, to ensure justice for Kumar’s family. PTI STH ROH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Independent probe sought for custodial death of Dalit woman in AP
Mala Gangamma died on May 31 after suffering torture in the hands of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the disappearance of her son, Veerendra, in November 2024. Andhra Pradesh: Human Rights Forum (HRF) and the Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) have demanded an independent enquiry over the alleged custodial death of a 40-year-old Dalit woman in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district in May this year. Mala Gangamma died on May 31 after suffering torture in the hands of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the disappearance of her son, Veerendra, in November 2024. The Dalit woman had approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking justice. The SIT was made on the directions of the court. It was headed by then Guntur Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) K Supraja. According to HRF and IFTU, Gangamma was allegedly tortured and forcefully confessed that she and her partner, Malla Durgayya, murdered her son, as he reportedly opposed their relationship. HRF and IFTU stated that the couple were subjected to third-degree torture, leading to Gangamma’s death, while Durgayya continues to battle for his life at the Kurnool Government Hospital. They questioned why Gangamma’s burial was conducted in the presence of 20 to 30 police personnel, and why Durgayya’s relatives were disallowed from meeting him in the hospital. Apart from an independent, impartial examination, the organisations have demanded a fresh post-mortem examination of Gangamma’s body, and the registration of criminal cases, including murder charges and relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, against police personnel found responsible. Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
ASP Appointed To Probe Deaths Of Dalit Youths
The police appealed to Dalit organisations, including those led by Mandakrishna Madiga, to call off their proposed protest in view of the ongoing inquiry Maidakur DSP S. Rajendra Prasad on Sunday said an IPS officer had been appointed to inquire into the deaths of two Dalit youths, who were found dead in a canal at Brahmamgari Matham on February 5, 2026. Addressing a press conference in Maidakur, the DSP said the incident had sparked suspicion among Dalit organisations, which alleged foul play and claimed justice had not been delivered. The organisations had also proposed a ‘Chalo Kadapa’ protest to press their demands Responding to their demand for a higher-level inquiry, Kadapa SP Nachiket Vishwanath appointed Proddatur ASP Vibhu Krishna as the inquiry officer. The DSP said Dalit leaders had also raised doubts over whether the FIR had been registered in accordance with legal procedures. He added that a video recorded by a witness who accompanied the deceased had been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis. Meanwhile, the police appealed to Dalit organisations, including those led by Mandakrishna Madiga, to call off their proposed protest in view of the ongoing inquiry. 2 engg students drown at beach Two first-year engineering students drowned at Bhavanapadu beach in Srikakulam district on Sunday after being caught in strong sea currents. The victims were identified as S. Yeshwanth, 18, and G. Agastima, 18. According to reports, they were part of a group of students from a private engineering college who had visited the beach. While bathing, the two were swept into deep waters by strong currents and drowned. Agriculture minister K. Atchennaidu expressed shock over the incident and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. Describing the tragedy as heartbreaking, he directed officials to extend all possible assistance and ensure necessary support to the families of the deceased. 32 fall ill after eating roadside snacks Thirty-two persons were admitted to the Primary Health Centre at Dugguduru in Kajuluru mandal after they allegedly suffered food poisoning from eating snacks purchased from roadside vendors. Officials said the victims consumed the snacks on Friday evening and began reporting to the hospital from Saturday. More patients were admitted on Sunday, while some were discharged after treatment. Officials said around 60 others were reportedly undergoing treatment at private hospitals. Medical and health department officials rushed to the village and treated the affected persons. Kakinada district medical and health officer D.N. Naick visited the hospital and reviewed the condition of the patients. He said the patients were recovering. Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanchronicle.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
AP: Human Rights organisation demands inquiry into custodial death of Dalit woman
A fact-finding team of HRF and IFTU has demanded an independent probe, alleging that police tortured Mala Gangamma to coerce a confession over her suspected role in her son’s disappearance. Human rights organisation Human Rights Forum (HRF) and the Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) have demanded an independent judicial inquiry into the death of 40-year-old Dalit woman Mala Gangamma in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district, alleging that she died due to custodial torture by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the disappearance of her son, Veerendra. According to the organisations, Gangamma was allegedly tortured to force a confession over her suspected role in her son’s mysterious disappearance. In a joint statement, HRF and IFTU said a three-member fact-finding team comprising HRF state vice-president UG Srinivasulu, HRF Kurnool district president K Urukundappa and IFTU district representative Narasanna visited Badinehal village, met Gangamma’s family members and local residents, and interacted with Kowthalam police before arriving at its findings. Veerendra went missing in November 2024. Gangamma later approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team headed by then Guntur Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) K Supraja to investigate the case. According to the organisations, the SIT concluded that Gangamma had conspired with her partner, Malla Durgayya, to murder Veerendra, who had allegedly opposed their relationship. HRF and IFTU alleged that the SIT subjected Gangamma and Durgayya to severe custodial torture to force them to disclose the location where Veerendra’s body had been buried. Gangamma died on May 31. They claimed Gangamma died as a result of the alleged torture, while Durgayya is undergoing treatment at Kurnool Government Hospital. The organisations questioned the manner in which the investigation was conducted, alleging that the SIT relied on coercive methods. They also raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding Gangamma’s death, including her transfer to KIMS Hospital in Kurnool, the conduct of the post-mortem examination, and whether all injuries on her body were properly documented. HRF and IFTU further questioned the haste with which Gangamma’s funeral was conducted. According to them, her body was buried in her native village of Badinehal on June 1 in the presence of 20 to 30 police personnel. The organisations also disputed the police’s claim that Durgayya’s injuries were caused by a motorcycle accident, alleging that his relatives were denied access to him while he was hospitalised. While maintaining that those responsible for Veerendra’s murder should face prosecution if found guilty through due process, HRF and IFTU said custodial torture and violations of legal procedure could not be justified under any circumstances. The organisations have demanded an independent judicial or other impartial inquiry into the incident, a fresh post-mortem examination of Gangamma’s body, and the registration of criminal cases including murder charges and relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against police personnel found responsible. Courtesy : TNM Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewsminute.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Call for stronger awareness on SC/ST Act
Several senior officials on Thursday emphasised the need of the hour was for greater awareness of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act-1989, citing incidents of Dalits facing untouchability, social discrimination and other problems. The statement was made at the three day training programme organised by the Dalit Bahujan Shramik Union on community vigilance monitoring for committee members. Also present were Dalit Bahujan Shramik Union’s State general secretary and advocate P. Chittibabu. speaking at the event, APEPDCL Superintending Engineer M. Lakshmana Rao said that equal respect and opportunities need to be provided to all Dalit families in accordance to the provisions of the Indian Constitution written by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Deputy Director of Social Welfare Department Annapurnamma said that the government was extending immediate support to Dalit victims and implementing welfare measures for all Scheduled Castes. Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEMPA) project director G.V.Chitti Raju, assistant director of A.P., Andhra Pradesh Government Life Insurance assistant director G. Hymavathi highlighted that women and children were also victimised due to discrimination. Mr. Chittibabu urged the government to take steps for quick filing of chargesheets in the courts so that the victims would get justice quickly under the provisions of the Act. People’s Action for Rural Awakening programme coordinator K.Ch. Bangara Raju clarified the doubts of the participants in the meeting. K Srinivasa Rao Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Andhra Pradesh: Suspended Inspector, embroiled in murder case, now faces charges of abetting Dalit youth’s suicide; YSRCP demands CBI investigation
Chief Inspector Nagaraju, embroiled in a custodial death case, is now accused of abetting Dalit youth Kranti Kumar’s suicide; YSRCP demands CBI investigation in the matter. The troubles of suspended Circle Inspector Nagaraju, embroiled in the alleged custodial murder of Gade Sai Krishna in Andhra Pradesh, have worsened. He now faces serious charges of abetting the suicide of a Dalit man. Following this new development, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has strongly demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the entire matter. A video of Perugogu Kranti Kumar, a resident of Vijayawada, recently went viral on social media. In the video, he accuses Circle Inspector Nagaraju of harassment and threatens to take his own life. On Saturday, June 20th, two days after the video surfaced, YSRCP leaders met with the deceased’s family and demanded a CBI investigation into his death. Kranti Kumar was the son of Perugogu Venkateswara Rao, president of the Andhra Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS). On May 21st, 42-year-old Kranti had recorded a video expressing his intention to commit suicide. He clearly stated that he could no longer tolerate the alleged harassment by Circle Inspector Nagaraju of the Krishna Lanka police station. This harrowing video began spreading rapidly on June 18th, after Inspector Nagaraju was suspended in connection with the disappearance of another man named Gade Sai Krishna. In the viral video, Kranti Kumar can be clearly seen consuming purple-colored grains (poison). Just before consuming the poison, Kranti says in the video that CI Nagaraju is solely responsible for his death. He emotionally stated that his only fault was being born into the Madiga community. Kranthi alleged that he has been targeted and severely beaten for the past three months, and that he no longer wants to live. Another murder and missing person case has been filed against suspended CI Nagaraju based on a complaint by Gade Sai Krishna’s mother, Gade Vijaya Lakshmi. Sai Krishna had been missing for over a month before the complaint was filed. Police now suspect he has been murdered. The case has been registered under sections 127(4) and 127(6) (wrongful confinement), 103(1) (murder), and 238 (destruction of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Vijaya Lakshmi has made serious allegations that her son was tortured and beaten to death in police custody. She has demanded that the state government conduct a judicial inquiry into the entire incident and take strict action against all those responsible. On June 17, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu took a strong stance, citing the seriousness of the matter. He ordered a high-level investigation by a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. Following this order, Circle Inspector Nagaraju was suspended with immediate effect. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News