I’m targeted for being Dalit: Peethala Sujatha

The police, however, noticed inconsistencies in her statements. Police checked her bank account and established that she had borrowed money. The police is now trying to ascertain the actual reason why she took such a large sum of money to the minister’s residence and why she did not panic when she realised that she had forgotten the bag there. There is also the fact that the photocopy of her daughter’s hall ticket was in the bag.

West Godavari SP Bhaskar Bhushan said, “The bag of cash was found at the residence of the minister’s father and based on the complaint, we have booked a case and have started investigation.” Narasapuram DSP P. Sowmyalatha has been appointed as the special investigation officer in the case.

Ms Sujatha said, “I am upset with the entire issue. Soon after I came to know about it, I called up the SP and asked him to take up an inquiry in a thorough and transparent manner to expose the culprits. I never involve myself in any acts that might undermine the image of our party and our party chief and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. I being a Dalit woman, some political parties, including the YSR Congress, are trying to tarnish my image by implicating me in false cases as they are unable to bear the growth in my political career. People visit my house seeking favours for getting government jobs but I tell them that it can only be obtained through appearing for competitive exams.”

Earlier, the minister had invited the wrath of Mr Naidu for accepting a costly gold waist belt from realtors in a public meeting. Insiders say that when the cash bag was being given to the minister’s father, someone filmed it. Fearing trouble, the woman threw away the bag and left while the housekeeper alerted the police just to be on the safe side.