ap-orders-reinvestigation-into-murder-of-ysrcp-mlc-s-driver

The Andhra Pradesh Police have reopened the investigation into the 2022 murder of a driver allegedly killed by YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MLC Ananta Uday Bhaskar, also known as Ananta Babu.

 

Kakinada DSP Manish Devraj Patil, an IPS officer, has been appointed as the new investigating officer. He has been asked to submit a report to the Director General of Police (DGP) within two months.

 

Kakinada Superintendent of Police, G Bindu Madhav, has instructed the officer to seek court permission if required during the process.

 

The development follows a demand by former IPS officer AB Venkateswara Rao. He met the SP on Monday and asked for a thorough probe. Rao was suspended under the YSRCP government and has recently launched a campaign called “Jagan Never Again.” The campaign aims to expose alleged misdeeds during the tenure of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

 

The murder case involves the death of Veedhi Subrahmanyam, a Dalit driver employed by Ananta Babu. The incident took place on the night of 19 May 2022. During an argument, the MLC allegedly pushed the driver, who fell and suffered a fatal head injury.

 

The MLC then tried to make it appear like a road accident. He allegedly inflicted injuries on the body with sticks and moved it to the driver’s home. He told the family that Subrahmanyam had died in a road mishap.

 

However, the family grew suspicious after seeing the injuries. They refused to accept his version and lodged a complaint with the police.

 

Ananta Babu was arrested and suspended by the YSRCP following public outrage. He was later released on bail in December 2022.

 

According to police reports, the MLC told officers that the driver was drunk and had argued with him. In a fit of anger, he held the driver by the neck and pushed him. The man fell and sustained serious head injuries. When the driver tried to respond, the MLC pushed him again, leading to further injury and death.

 

The new investigation is part of the Telugu Desam Party-led government’s efforts to re-examine cases from the previous administration. Advocate Muppalla Subba Rao has also been appointed as special counsel to assist with the case.

 

The case remains sensitive and politically charged, especially with the involvement of a Dalit victim and a senior political figure.