Hyderabad: Man dies in accident, enraged kin burn shop

Hyderabad: A cook was killed in a road accident when a speeding RTC bus hit him at KPHB Colony on Monday. Following the incident, the enraged kin of the victim set ablaze a tea shop, alleging that the owner was running a liquor outlet illegally, which was the reason for the accident.

At about 8 am on Monday, Ponnada Shankarnath, 37, left home on his bike and reached the temple bus stop at KPHB Phase-I. When he tried moving lanes, an RTC bus hit him. He suffered severe head injury as he was not wearing a helmet.

Locals immediately rushed him to Padmaja Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment at about 10 am. Based on the complaint lodged by the victim’s father, P. Anjaneyulu, a case has been registered against the bus driver under Section 304 A of IPC.

The enraged kin of the victim set ablaze a tea stall alleging that it sold liquor round-the-clock. The shop is situated about 50 metres from the GHMC park on KPHB Phase-I road. The open space serves as a shelter for about 10 migrant families.

The tea stall owned by one Guruswamy, is located just in front of the open place and locals allege that is a cover for illegal liquor sellers. They also allege that the police turn a blind eye towards this.

Locals at a tea stall located on the same road said, “Everybody here knows that liquor is sold here throughout the day. Many a time, the local police also visit the stall to have tea, but never bother about the illegal liquor.”

The police who rushed to the spot after receiving information that a mob had gathered, searched the huts and seized two liquor bottles, which is legal, according to the Excise & Prohibition Act.

Responding to a query, KPHB sub-inspector M. Venu Kumar said, “The victim’s kin allege that Shankarnath was heading to the liquor outlet which is why he was killed. We have not registered a case against those who set the shop ablaze.”

Madhapur DCP A. Venkateshwar Rao said, “Stern action will be taken against the officials concerned if they are found to be negligent in delivering their duties.”

Action will also be taken against those who have taken law into their hands and damaged the tea stall.”