Police stop Kaushik Reddy, other BRS leaders from visiting Arekapudi Gandhi's residence

HYDERABAD: BRS MLC Shambhipur Raju and MLA Kaushik Reddy were arrested by the police while they were attempting to visit MLA Arekapudi Gandhi’s residence. The police stopped them as they left Shambhipur Raju’s house, placing both under house arrest.

During the incident, Kaushik Reddy got into a heated argument with the police. He questioned the authorities, asking, "Is there one law for Congress and another for us?" He demanded to know why they were being stopped from visiting Gandhi's house.

Kaushik Reddy further expressed his anger by asking, "What is the issue if we visit our party MLA’s house? Why are we being stopped while others, like Danam Nagender, are allowed?" He criticised the police action, calling it "rule by barriers, not by the people."

Following this confrontation, the police forcibly took Kaushik Reddy away and confined him to Shambhipur Raju's house. Earlier, Kaushik Reddy had reached Shambhipur Raju's residence along with party workers, intending to visit Gandhi’s residence with other leaders and supporters. This created a tense atmosphere, escalating the situation as the police intervened.

Amidst the rising tension, supporters raised slogans like "Jai Telangana" and "Jai KCR." The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Kotireddy, stated that Kaushik Reddy would remain under house arrest until Friday evening, citing the enforcement of Section 144 across the city.

Meanwhile, tensions escalated when police blocked former ministers Sunitha Lakshma Reddy and Maloth Kavitha from meeting former minister Harish Rao. The incident occurred as the leaders attempted to visit Harish Rao, who had been injured in a previous altercation with the police. The police argued that permission from the Police Commissioner was required to allow the meeting, leading to a heated argument.

Sunitha Lakshma Reddy, Maloth Kavitha, and former MLA Kranti were all arrested during the standoff. BRS leaders criticised the police for not disclosing the station to which they were being taken, expressing outrage over the treatment of women public representatives.

Harish Rao, who suffered an injury to his hand during a police scuffle the previous day, was denied permission to visit the hospital for treatment. The injury occurred when he was forcefully dragged into a police van near Kesampet. BRS leaders condemned the harsh treatment of Harish Rao by the police.

In a series of related events, former minister Jogu Ramanna and BRS leader RS Praveen Kumar were placed under house arrest. The police also placed former ministers Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Ch Mallareddy, and MLAs KP Vivekananda and Madhavaram Krishna Rao under house arrest.