After championing the cause of Kodi Kathi Srinu, the man accused of attempting to attack YSR Congress Party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy at Visakhapatnam airport in October 2018, retired IPS officer and former intelligence chief A B Venkateshwar Rao has now expressed solidarity with another young man who allegedly suffered under the Jagan regime.
On Tuesday, Rao visited Satish, the youth accused of hurling a stone at Jagan during an election rally at Singh Nagar in Vijayawada in 2024.
He met Satish and his family to offer moral support and described the ordeal they had endured.
Rao expressed outrage at what he called the victimization of a weak individual like Satish.
“He was made a scapegoat and jailed for 45 days,” the former IPS officer said.
He alleged that Jagan had used the incident for political gain, saying, “When a garland accidentally hit Jagan, it was immediately portrayed as a stone attack and manipulated for electoral advantage.”
Rao said the incident had ruined the life of a young man from the Vaddera community and devastated his entire family.
“There has been no progress in the case to date. The victims were misled with false promises of ₹2 lakh in compensation,” he said, also criticizing the current government for inaction.
He condemned the alleged third-degree torture Satish was subjected to, saying it broke his heart.
“Today, Satish cannot even eat with his own hand. Why haven’t the police officers responsible been held accountable? What message does this send to society? What crime did the victims commit? Why should someone suffer in a case where there is no evidence or connection?” he asked.
Rao demanded the immediate closure of the case, revocation of bail bonds, and refund of any money paid.
“The government should compensate the victims, and disciplinary action must be taken against the senior police officers who framed Satish,” he asserted.
