KAKINADA: YSRC leader Kalavala Srinu died by suicide following alleged physical torture and harassment by the village sarpanch of Somavaram in Chatrayi mandal of Eluru district.
Srinu, the husband of ward member K. Pushpavathi, questioned some alleged irregularities committed by village sarpanch U. Shobhan Babu, also belonging to the YSRC.
The sarpanch called Srinu to the panchayat office 10 days ago. Shobhan Babu and his followers beat up Srinu severely. They took a video of the incident and made it viral on social media.
Shobhan Babu and his followers subsequently made Pushpavathi resign as a ward member.
It is alleged that when Srinu approached the police, they did not take his complaint.
Unable to bear the physical torture and harassment, Srinu attempted to die by suicide on June 1. Relatives admitted him to a hospital at Vijayawada, where he died on Sunday.
Nuzvid Circle inspector R. Ankababu told Deccan Chronicle that a case had been registered against 12 accused, including the sarpanch. On Srinu approaching police, the CI said they asked him to lodge a complaint on the matter. But Srinu said he would discuss the issue with the village elders first.
Ankababu maintained that Srinu did not lodge any complaint with the police. He said Srinu and the sarpanch are also related.
