Published Aug 11, 2026 | 3:23 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 11, 2026 | 3:23 PM
BJP Corporator Somidi Venu Prasad.
Synopsis: BJP corporator Somidi Venu Prasad and five others were arrested in Karimnagar over an alleged murder attempt. Police said the accused attacked a man and his brother belonging to the ST Lambada community using sticks and beer bottles while hurling casteist slurs at them. The BJP corporator also stabbed one of the brothers, resulting in serious injuries for the victim.
BJP corporator Somidi Venu Prasad and five associates have been arrested for allegedly attempting to murder a supporter of the BRS party belonging to the ST Lambada community.
Prasad, who is a corporator representing the Kisan Nagar division of Karimnagar Municipal Corporation, is also the former president of BJP’s Dalit Morcha, Karimnagar unit.
According to the police, the incident happened at Neem Trees Ground in Kisan Nagar on August 9. Venu Prasad, along with his associates, reportedly approached Gugloth Srikanth and his brother Rajashekhar.
The accused confronted the brothers over their support for the BRS and hurled casteist slurs at them. Recalling past conflicts, they threatened the brothers that every BRS supporter in the locality would be wiped out.
The verbal abuse was followed by allegedly brutal physical assault. The BJP corporator and his associates beat up the two men using sticks and beer bottles while hurling abuses at them. During the assault, Venu Prasad allegedly stabbed Srikanth in the abdomen using a broken beer bottle and left him to die while Rajashekhar managed to escape.
Based on a complaint filed by the victim, the police registered a case, and an investigation has begun under the leadership of the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Karimnagar.
According to the FIR filed at the Three Town police station in Karimnagar, Venu Prasad and his associates exited the premises, leaving a wounded Srikanth on the ground, believing him to be dead. Bystanders, who witnessed the incident, informed Srikanth’s family of the attack, who then took him to a Government Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. He has reportedly sustained serious injuries in the attack.
Meanwhile, the FIR has invoked several charges against the accused including attempt to murder, rioting, and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Venu Prasad and his associates –Kudidi Nagarender, Panthangi Madhu, Nerella Nagaraju, Shriramoji Bhanuchandar, Sangam Venu and Panthangi Shashidhar– have been arrested.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
