Published Feb 23, 2026 | 11:53 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 23, 2026 | 11:53 AM
An infant. (iStock)
Synopsis: A two-month-old infant died in Kummera village of Nagarkurnool, days after an alleged assault on her family during the Kummera Mallanna Jatara. The police have registered a case of suspicious death and arrested at least three people in connection with the assault on Ganesh.
A festive occasion turned tragic in Kummera village of Nagarkurnool district in Telangana after a two-month-old infant died, days after an alleged assault on her family during the Kummera Mallanna Jatara on 18 February.
The family, belonging to the Chakali (washermen) community under the Backward Classes (BC) category, had visited the temple festival for darshan. Those present included grandmother Chilukeshwaram Chandrakala, her son Chakali Ganesh, daughter-in-law Mounika, and their infant daughter.
In a complaint lodged with Nagarkurnool police, the family alleged that trouble began at the temple entrance when they were asked to pay money as an entry fee. They claimed darshan was usually free. When they objected, some organisers and others allegedly abused them using caste slurs and physically assaulted them.
According to the complaint, the situation spiralled quickly. Ganesh was allegedly beaten up. In the melee, Mounika reportedly placed the infant at the feet of one of the accused, pleading for the assault to stop. The family alleged that the baby was kicked aside, fell to the ground, and suffered serious injuries.
The infant was taken to the Government General Hospital in Nagarkurnool two days later and died on 21 February.
The complaint named several persons, including village sarpanch Tukaram Reddy, Undyala Srinivas Reddy, Srikant Reddy, Satish Reddy, and Kannireddy, accusing them of leading the attack and using caste-based abuse.
The police have registered a case of suspicious death and arrested at least three people in connection with the assault on Ganesh.
Speaking to South First, Nagarkurnool Superintendent of Police (SP) Patil Sangram Singh said the infant was taken to the hospital two days after the alleged incident and later died. He said the complaint filed by Ganesh referred to the assault on him and did not mention any attack on his wife or daughter.
“We are looking for evidence that the baby was kicked, but so far we have not found any. The viscera (internal organs) of the baby have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory. The initial post-mortem examination did not reveal any external injuries on the baby,” the SP said. He added that if evidence surfaces linking the death to an assault, a murder case would be registered.
Regarding the altercation, the SP said the trouble reportedly began when family members argued with volunteers after being denied entry into the temple. Ganesh alleged he was attacked; the SP reiterated that no complaint initially mentioned an assault on the infant. The arrested persons in the assault case are Y Srinivasa Reddy, Sangam Madhusudan Reddy and Gondi Srikanth Reddy.
The baby’s death triggered protests in the area. BC organisations and members of the Dharma Samaj Party staged demonstrations at the hospital and police station, demanding justice and strict action against the accused. Leaders of the BRS also condemned the incident. Kalvakuntla Kavitha, president of Telangana Jagruthi, called for a thorough and impartial probe.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
