Nellore: Telugu Desam (TD) activist Chimmili Srinivasulu, who suffered severe burn injuries earlier this month, succumbed while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Chennai on Saturday evening, police said.
Srinivasulu, who belongs to Kondapuram mandal, gave a detailed dying declaration, making serious allegations against the area TD leaders, triggering a major controversy in the region.
In his statement, the TD worker asserted that following a local settlement held in the presence of Udayagiri MLA Kakarla Suresh, he had legally purchased six cents of land in 2019 and constructed a house and two shops after obtaining necessary permissions. Srinivasulu alleged that TDP mandal president B. Chennaiah collected ₹40,000 from him during construction, while village sarpanch Baddipudi Macherla later demanded additional money.
According to Srinivasulu, he began receiving threats after he refused to pay. He said that on April 1, while he had been in Hyderabad, an Ambedkar statue had been illegally installed in front of his shops.
After returning from Hyderabad, the TD worker said he approached senior police officials. During the inquiry, the sarpanch allegedly admitted to installing the statue without permission. Srinivasulu also stated that he brought the issue to the notice of the MLA but did not receive any response.
Recounting the April 13 incident, Srinivasulu alleged that he brought a petrol can only to scare the sarpanch and his associates present near the statue. Instead, the sarpanch and his followers poured petrol on him and set him on fire.
Kavali DSP V.V. Ramana Kumar said a case of attempt to murder has been registered against TD leader B. Chennaiah, his wife Dorasanamma, sarpanch Baddipudi Macherla and his wife Lakshmi Kantham based on the victim’s statement. An investigation is underway.
Kavali DSP V.V. Ramana Kumar said a case of attempt to murder has been registered against TD leader B. Chennaiah, his wife Dorasanamma, sarpanch Baddipudi Macherla and his wife Lakshmi Kantham based on the victim’s statement. An investigation is underway.
A police team has gone to Chennai to conduct inquest and post-mortem procedures before shifting the body to Kondapuram.
Responding to the allegations, MLA Kakarla Suresh said about eight months ago, he had advised officials to grant permission to Srinivasulu for construction of his house and shops provided there are no irregularities. The MLA further said he had asked Srinivasulu and Chennaiah to resolve their dispute amicably when the issue of Ambedkar statue surfaced.
In the interim, TD leader Chennaiah has alleged that Srinivasulu had encroached upon two cents of panchayat land.
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