Attack on Jagan: Police produce accused before court, seek 15-day custody

The Vishakhapatnam police have requested that J Srinivasarao, accused in the attack on Andhra Opposition leader YS Jaganmohan Reddy at the city airport on Thursday, to be remanded to 15-day police custody.

Vishakapatanam police have appointed an Assistant Commissioner of Police rank officer to oversee the case given its sensitivity. Officials had stated that the accused attacked Jagan on the pretext of taking selfie, “J Srinivasarao attacked [YS Jaganmohan] with a very small knife on his left upper arm leaving a 2-3 inch deep gash and causing bleeding,” they said.  

Police told the Vishakapatanam VII Metropolitan Magistrate Court that their investigation has found that the attacker, who was working in Fusion Restaurant, was a staunch supporter of YSRCP leader Jagan. Srinivasarao apparently wanted to make a representation to Jagan as he believed that if Jagan came into power he would work to solve the grievances of the poor. He was "mentally prepared to do something" to put his concerns across to the leader, police told the court.

Apart from a mobile phone, a small knife of 2.5 inches, another instrument with a blade, and 10-page hand-written letter was seized from the accused. He was arrested under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of Indian Penal Code.

Police have also stated that the Srinivasarao has a previous record – he is accused in a crime in Mummidivaram police station limits of East Godavari.

Officials also told the court, “The investigation is pending for examination of some more witnesses and to analyse the seized documents in this case. In this case, other facts leading to the offence are to be ascertained. Hence, the investigation could not be completed and the accused is required for further investigation for which police custody is necessary to elicit other facts.”

The case garnered significant political attention as the main parties YSRCP and TDP made 'conspiracy' accusations at each other. While TDP said that the BJP was involved in motivating the crime, YSRCP accused TDP for plotting to eliminate its leader.