A video of the founder of the private coaching institute named ‘Indian Army Calling’ in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district beating up a student went viral on social media on Friday, December 6, prompting AP Human Resource Development Nara Lokesh to direct the police to take action.
The video shows a man, identified as Basava Venkata Ramana, beating a student with a belt. The student is heard crying. Some other students are seen in the background, kneeling on the floor. The video triggered outrage by netizens, who demanded immediate action against the person punishing the student.
Responding to one such post on X, Nara Lokesh wrote, “Whatever may be the reason, such acts of aggression is unwarranted. The student featured in the video has been identified, and a team has been sent to obtain his statement. Following this, a case will be filed.”
The opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has alleged that Basava Ramana is an associate of Union Civil Aviation minister from TDP Rammohan Naidu. “Basava Ramana has been exposed for running a fraudulent recruitment centre, "Indian Army Calling," promising Army, Navy, and Air Force jobs while extorting Rs 5-10 lakh per person. He installed secret cameras in women’s rooms, using videos for blackmail and harassment with his associates,” reads a post from YSRCP’s official handle.
“When four young men tried to expose him, they were abducted and tortured. Leveraging political connections with local MLA Gundu Shankar, Ramana also extorted malls and bars using threats. This shocking case highlights the coalition government’s failure to curb such miscreants, leaving public safety in jeopardy,” the YSRCP said.