A 30-year-old agricultural labourer from Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district allegedly killed himself by consuming poison on Monday. Patlavath Raju’s death comes after he was allegedly beaten up by the Talakondapalli police sub-inspector for domestic abuse.
After his death, his family found a video clip on his mobile phone, where Raju narrates how he was allegedly tortured by the sub-inspector following a complaint made by his wife and her relatives.
Raju, who hails from Narayanapur Thanda of Veladanda mandal in Nagarkurnool district, was married to P Anjali five years ago. The couple has two children.
Anjali had recently gone to her maternal home at Goranthakunta Thanda in Talakondapally mandal of Ranga Reddy district. It was at her maternal home that Raju allegedly beat his wife over a dispute.
Following this, Anjali and her relatives approached the Talakondapally police over the matter.
After being picked up by the police, Raju was allegedly beaten up in the Talakondapally station by the sub-inspector.
In his video declaration, Raju hits out at Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and his directive to the police to accord top priority to the protection of women. "KCR sir, you have given them (police) a great order. It seems you have asked them to kill anyone who troubles women. Yes, I got married five years ago and they (wife and family) gave a complaint against me. They should inquire about the mistakes made by my wife and I. Why have they beaten me without an inquiry?" alleges Raju.
Despite Raju’s face being covered by a towel in the video, he points to the injuries he has received, stating, "They have hit my head, they have hit me on my bare feet. They removed my clothes and hit my testicles. What is this method?"
Asking why “unfair” persons are employed in the police, Raju alleges that the SI had told his wife’s family to kill him. Accusing the police of taking at face value a woman’s version of events, Raju ends his video asking people to share it until his message reaches CM KCR and the Prime Minister.
"You guys keep saying women, women, women and always take their side. Learn about the mistakes they also make. I'm requesting you to understand this. I'm asking everyone who watches this video - from KCR to Modi to Chandrababu Naidu, Thalakondapally SI should pay for what he did," he says.
Raju was rushed to Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad on Monday after allegedly consuming pesticide. He died the same day.
When TNM contacted Veladanda Sub -Inspector Rammurthy, he said "We have come to know about the video. We have reported the matter to our higher ups and the required procedure is being looked into."
A case of suicide has been registered at Veladanda police station.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Shadnagar said, "A high level inquiry into the matter has been launched. If there is any mistake found on the officer’s part, action will be taken against him."