The Nalgonda police, however, refuted the claims of custodial death and maintained that the man died in hospital while undergoing treatment.
Published Dec 11, 2023 | 9:29 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 11, 2023 | 9:33 PM
The Sub-Inspector Satish Reddy (left) and Nenavath Surya, the deceased. (Supplied)
The Nalgonda police in Telangana on Monday, 11 December, placed under suspension a sub-inspector (SI) of the Chinthapally police for intervening in a civil dispute.
The move came a day after a 60-year-old man died in a Devarakonda hospital following his appearance at the police station.
The suspended SI was Satish Reddy, while the deceased has been identified as Nenavath Surya Naik of the Palem Thanda village.
He apparently visited the police station on Sunday along with his brother Nenavath Bheema, with whom he had a land dispute. He belonged to the Lambada community, which is a Scheduled Tribe (ST).
“The reason the sub-inspector has been suspended is that he showed too much enthusiasm in the land dispute, which is a civil matter and does not fall under the police’s jurisdiction,” Nalgonda Superintendent of Police (SP) Apoorva Rao told South First.
As per the complaint lodged by the deceased’s son Rajesh, his father had had a dispute with his uncle (Bheema) for over 20 years over 20 guntas — or half an acre — of land situated on the outskirts of the Polepally Ramnagar village.
He alleged that his father was being harassed and pressured by his uncle by calling the matter several times in front of the panchayat for settlement.
“My uncle and a few others, including the husband of a Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) representative threatened my father with false police cases if he did not settle the matter soon,” Rajesh said in his complaint, based on which an FIR was lodged. A copy of it was accessed by South First.
A senior officer of the Devarkonda police told South First that the dispute had emerged over the payment of ₹3 lakh.
“A few months ago, the family members of Surya and Bheemla sold their property and received cash. But disputes took place between Surya and Bheema,” the officer said.
As per the Nalagonda police, SI Satish Reddy initially asked both parties to settle the matter outside the police station as it was a civil dispute
However, after Bheema requested, the discussions took place between him and Surya in the presence of Reddy.
The discussion soon turned into a heated argument, as a result of which the Chinthapally police asked them to leave the police station.
“After Bheema and Surya stepped out of the police station, the latter fell sick and vomited, besides complaining of pain. He was shifted to the Devarakonda government hospital. He died during treatment. So, it is not a lockup death,” said the police.
Tension prevailed outside the Devarakonda hospital on Sunday night as Surya’s relatives staged a protest. They alleged that the SI was angry over the brothers turning up late and that he manhandled Surya.
As per reports, the CCTV cameras recorded that Surya entered the hospital on foot. It is being said that he suffered a stroke while undergoing treatment.
His blood pressure was very high when he was admitted. He died on Sunday night.
In the complaint by the deceased’s son, he said his father (Surya) died while the doctors were examining him.
The Chinthapally police have registered a case of suspicious death under CrPC Section 174 and are currently investigating the matter.
Meanwhile, after placed under suspension SI Satish Reddy reportedly refuted indulging in assaulting any person in the police station.
