Police arrest accused in Lord Sri Rama temple ratham burning case

Anantapur superintendent of police Jagadish told media on Wednesday that investigating teams have succeeded in solving the case within 24 hours. They have arrested Eeswar Reddy of Hanankanhal village, who took out petrol from his motorcycle, entered into the chariot shed by breaking the lock of the gate late on Monday, and set fire to the ratham.

“Eeswar Reddy is a YSRC worker. However, there is no political angle in the incident, as the issue involves two families. The family of Erriswamy Reddy is a staunch devotee of Lord Sri Rama and donated ₹20 lakh two years ago for making a new chariot for taking out the presiding deity in a procession.

Erriswamy Reddy’s brother Eeswar Reddy developed a grudge, as he had earlier sought money from his brother. In revenge, he burnt the ratham two years later.

Rayadurg MLA Kalava Sreenivasulu, while welcoming the arrest of the culprit within 24 hours of the incident, underlined that the role of others must also be examined in the case.

The MLA charged that head constable Raghunath Reddy, a close relative of accused Eeswar Reddy, had earlier worked in Kanekal mandal. Raghunath Reddy had come to the village on Tuesday and met several people. “We suspect the torching of ratham is a conspiracy to disturb peace and harmony. Police authorities should verify call data of the head constable,” Kalava Sreenivasulu demanded.

YSRC district unit president Ananta Venkatrami Reddy alleged that attempts are being made to unnecessarily throw mud on YSRC utilising the incident. He pointed out that the incident involves members of a family and is in no way connected to politics.