In a shocking incident at the temple town of Srisailam, where liquor consumption is strictly prohibited, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA Budda Rajasekhara Reddy allegedly created a drunken outburst (formerly “outrage”), assaulting and kidnapping forest officials on duty.
The late-night incident has triggered widespread condemnation from employees’ unions, officials, and devotees, with CCTV footage of the assault going viral on social media.
According to forest department sources, the Dornala–Srisailam ghat road is closed to traffic between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily to protect wildlife in the tiger reserve.
On Tuesday night, Deputy Range Officer D. Ramanayak, beat officers J. Mohankumar and T.K. Guruvayya, and driver Shaik Kareem were patrolling near the Chinnarutla (added “the”) beat when they noticed two vehicles parked suspiciously. The vehicles belonged to MLA Rajasekhara Reddy and his followers.
When the officials approached and saluted the legislator, he allegedly responded with vulgar abuse, accusing them of corruption. Despite officers explaining that night traffic is prohibited under tiger zone rules, the MLA, reportedly drunk, (reworded from “reportedly drunk manhandled them”) manhandled them and insisted on passage. His followers allegedly snatched their identity cards, wallets, walkie-talkies, and mobile phones.
Two officers were forced into the MLA’s vehicle, while two others were bundled into their own department jeep, which the MLA himself drove. The staff were confined in a guesthouse at Srisailam, where Jana Sena leader Ashok Kumar and another aide reportedly joined in the assault. The victims were released only after midnight.
Following the ordeal, the shaken officers reported the matter to their superiors. Based on their complaint and video evidence, Srisailam One Town Police registered a criminal case against MLA Rajasekhara Reddy and Jana Sena leader Ashok Kumar (added missing surname for clarity).
Prakasam District Forest Deputy Director Sandeep Krupakar strongly condemned the attack, warning of stringent action. He noted that the victims belonged to SC, ST, and minority communities, making charges under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act applicable.
The Andhra Pradesh Junior Forest Officers’ Association also demanded the immediate suspension of the MLA. Association president P. Karimula warned of statewide protests if justice was delayed, declaring that officers would boycott duties until strong action was taken.
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