The Andhra Pradesh High Court has granted interim relief to former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy in the case of the death of a supporter during a Sattenapalle rally. The court stated that accidents can occur despite all precautions.
Jagan Reddy: Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has received interim relief from the High Court in connection with the death of a party supporter during a rally in Guntur district. The court observed that accidents can happen despite all precautions, and that such incidents have occurred even in events like the Kumbh Mela.
What is the case?
On June 18th, a rally was being held in Sattenapalle, Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh, by YSRCP leader Jagan Mohan Reddy. During the rally, a party supporter named C. Singayya (53) died after being involved in an incident with a vehicle. According to local people and eyewitnesses, the incident occurred when the rally was very crowded.
Vehicle Identification and FIR Controversy
Police investigations revealed that the car involved in Singayya's death was allegedly part of Jagan Reddy's convoy. Subsequently, the police seized the car and filed an FIR against Reddy and other party leaders.
The FIR accused them of culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 304A IPC) and causing death due to negligence. This legal action became a topic of widespread discussion among people supported by the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Political Allegations and Counter-Allegations
After the FIR was filed, the YSRCP alleged that the state's Chandrababu Naidu government was attempting to frame the former chief minister with political malice. The party claimed that this was a deliberate conspiracy to divert people's attention from the real issues.
Jagan Mohan Reddy described the action as a 'breach of Z+ security protocol' and a 'diversionary tactic'.
Differing Claims
The YSRCP maintains that C. Singayya died during the rally but was not hit by Jagan Reddy's vehicle. On the other hand, the TDP claims that he was directly run over by a vehicle from the convoy. This incident has further deepened the political tension between the two parties.
Jagan Reddy's Petition and the Court's Response
Following these developments, Jagan Reddy filed a petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court and accused that he was being deliberately framed. He stated that his name was added to the FIR to cause political damage. In the petition, he also mentioned that compensation had been provided to the victim's family by his party and that he had the support of the victim's family.
While hearing the case, the High Court remarked that "accidents happen even in events like the Kumbh Mela, despite all precautions." On this basis, the court granted Jagan Mohan Reddy relief from arrest for now and stayed further proceedings until the next hearing in the case.
