Judicial probe demanded in Tenali police assault on Dalit youth

Andhra Pradesh: In response to the alleged custodial violence against Dalit and minority youths in Tenali, several rights-based and Dalit organizations have demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting High Court judge and the immediate suspension of responsible police officers. A statewide dharna has been announced in Tenali on June 20.

Roundtable meet highlights concern over police brutality

A roundtable meeting was convened on Monday at Joshua Vigyan Kendra, Bradipet, Guntur, under the leadership of KVPS, DHPS, DBF, DBSU, and other organizations. The forum condemned the police’s alleged brutal assault on Dalit and minority youths and unanimously called for accountability.

KVPS State Secretary Andra Malyadri chaired the meeting, which resolved to stage a protest in Tenali on June 20. The participants warned that the agitation would be intensified if the government failed to act.

“Violation of constitutional rights,” say speakers

Former MLC KS Lakshmana Rao criticized the state’s leadership, stating that defending such police actions is unconstitutional and sets a dangerous precedent of ignoring fundamental rights. He emphasized the need for a judicial inquiry headed by a High Court judge.

Supreme Court advocate Potthuri Suresh questioned the silence of state rights bodies and criticized the inconsistency in government action—where some officers are punished in similar cases while the Tenali incident is being defended.

Lawyers, activists call for accountability

Nalluri Madhav Rao, All India Lawyers Union State General Secretary, said the police are acting like agents of a colonial regime, violating citizens’ rights with impunity.

KVPS’s Andra Malyadri added that the act of beating youths and recording the violence is not only unlawful but also inhuman, and criticized senior officials for defending such acts.

DHPS State Secretary K Subba Rao called for a large-scale people’s movement to prevent such incidents in the future.

Allegations of false narratives and political interference

CPI (M) District Secretary Y Netaji pointed to inconsistencies in the official version of events, stating that there was no complaint filed by the constable who was allegedly attacked. He added that only three of the four accused were arrested, and the FIR itself raises serious doubts.

Jana Chaitanya Vedika State President V Lakshman Reddy alleged that police appointments are being made on political recommendations, leading to biased and unrestrained behaviour by officers acting under the influence of local MLAs.

Broader systemic critique

DBF Founder President Korivi Vinay Kumar alleged that, similar to the previous administration, the current government is enabling violence against Dalits and minorities. He claimed there was a link between some officials and illegal trades, including ganja trafficking, and alleged that the police action stemmed from internal disputes.

Participants and solidarity

Speakers included prominent civil society and party leaders: Y Koteswara Rao, Senior Lawyer; G Shanthakumar, AILA State Leader; Prabhakar, Dr. B R Ambedkar Memorial Society; Chishti, Awaaz State Secretary; Vasu, BSP leader; V Narasimha Rao, New Democracy Party; Y Radhakrishna, Tenant Farmers Association State President; Emani Appa Rao, Agricultural Workers Association District Secretary; Other participants included: Suresh, Nallapu Neelambaram, Ramanjaneyulu, Jupudi Srinivasa Rao, Chandranayak, Valluri Sadashiv Rao, Bathula Veeraswamy, and B Lakshmana Rao.

The collective call was clear: no one, including the police, can be allowed to take the law into their own hands. The groups urged swift action to uphold justice and constitutional protections.