During his visit to Tenali in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, YSRCP chief and ex-Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy lashed out at local police personnel for their reported ill-treatment of three young men who were accused of attacking a constable. The episode, which was complete with public flogging of the accused at the hands of police officers, has ignited widespread indignation and political controversy throughout the state.
Jagan visited the families of the injured youth — John Victor, Rakesh, and Babulal — and assured them of legal and moral assistance. Showing deep concern over the mishandling of judicial procedures, he questioned the validity of police functioning as judge and executioner.
“Filing a case against somebody doesn’t necessarily make them a criminal,” Jagan asserted. “Is the police stronger than the courts now? If so, why hasn’t Chandrababu Naidu been acted upon, who has 24 cases hanging over his head?” His biting observations have rekindled debates regarding custodial violence and accountability.
According to Jagan, John Victor works as a junior lawyer, Babulal (alias Karimulla) is a mechanic, and Rakesh is a resident of Hyderabad. Rakesh had reportedly traveled to Tenali to attend a hearing related to an older case and happened to meet the other two.
The controversial incident occurred near the Ambedkar statue in Itanagar, where the youths allegedly intervened in a dispute involving a constable in civilian clothes. What followed was a series of events that led to the three being taken into custody and publicly assaulted — a move Jagan described as “inhuman and unlawful.”
The former CM raised critical questions: “If the constable was truly injured, why was there a delay in filing a complaint? Why weren’t the accused presented before a magistrate within 24 hours, as required by law?”
He also accused the police of framing the youths by planting weapons on them and retroactively opening rowdy-sheets. “This isn’t law enforcement. This is a serious abuse of power and a violation of human rights,” he declared.
Jagan was particularly critical of the involvement of a Circle Inspector from outside the jurisdiction of the Two Town Police Station, where the case was registered. “What authority does an outsider CI have to conduct such an operation? This reeks of vendetta and misuse of power,” he said.
Calling the current administration’s governance a “Red Book rule,” Jagan criticized the breakdown of lawful conduct in the state. He said such brutal incidents were becoming more frequent because of an environment where police feel emboldened to act without judicial oversight.
He assured the families of the three youths that the YSRCP would provide legal support and stand by them in their fight for justice.
Jagan’s rally in Tenali wasn’t without pushback. As he walked through the town accompanied by YSRCP leaders and supporters, members of Dalit organizations staged a protest. Releasing black balloons into the sky, they signaled their dissent, adding further tension to an already charged political atmosphere.
