Plot to kill Joe Biden: Sai Varshith stares at 10 yrs in prison, Rs 2 cr fine

HYDERABAD: Telugu teenager of Indian origin Sai varshith Kandula, who was charged with attempt to murder US President Joe Biden after he rammed his vehicle into the White House security barricades twice recently, is staring at the prospect of a 10-year imprisonment and a fine of USD 2,50,000 (approximately Rs 2 crores).

A resident of Chesterfield, Missouri, 19-year-old Sai Varshith has been living in the US for over 15 years. He sent shockwaves across the world, especially in the two Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, when he rented a U-Haul truck and crashed it intentionally into a White House barrier near the Lafayette Square in Washington DC on the night of May 22, 2023, Monday.

The teenager, whose mental health is under question, was on Wednesday remanded in custody till May 30, 2023 after he was arraigned before Federal Court Judge Robin Meriweather. Sai Varshith, attired in the typical orange jumpsuit, looked composed as he diligently answered the questions posed by the judge. As per local reports, the prospects appear to be high for the Indian boy to be sentenced to 10 years in prison besides a hefty fine of USD 2,50,000. The Federal Court judge is expected to pronounce the sentence sometime next week.

Sai Varshith Kandula is reportedly a Nazi admirer having been influenced by the ideology which is believed to have played catalyst to his attempted strike at the White House. During the questioning, soon after his detention, he reportedly told the investigators that he was targeting US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

He also left the US police authorities bewildered when he told them that he was planning the attack for six months and claimed to have documented his plot in a green book. He also told them that his aim was to remove Biden from the administration and seize power.