Gandaboyanapalle Incident: Police Book MLA's Aides, Toll Staff, In Cross Cases
Toll plaza staff alleged that several workers, including a woman employee, were assaulted during the clas
TIRUPATI: The Gandaboyanapalle toll plaza clash took a fresh turn as followers of Kalyandurg MLA Amilineni Surendra Babu, accused of assaulting toll staff, filed a counter-complaint after police registered a case against them.
Criticising the MLA’s move, toll plaza employees alleged that those who attacked them were now trying to escape action. “They are now shifting the blame to weaken the case. If we did any wrong, why was no complaint made thus far," a staff member asked.
The Vayalpadu police registered the cases on Sunday, a day after the incident. Based on a complaint lodged by toll plaza manager Nallabothula Ravi Babu, some of the MLA’s supporters were booked under Sections 115(2), 324(2), 79, 351(2) read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
According to the complaint, the clash took place on Saturday when the MLA’s convoy was halted as a vehicle ahead was making a UPI payment. The delay allegedly led to an argument between the MLA’s convoy members and toll plaza staff, which escalated into a physical confrontation.
Toll plaza staff alleged that several workers, including a woman employee, were assaulted during the clash. They also claimed that the toll barrier was damaged.
“We asked them to wait until the payment was completed. Suddenly, some men began shouting and pushing us around. Some hit us repeatedly. One colleague was pulled by her hair and she fell unconscious,”an employee alleged.
Another employee claimed the attackers outnumbered the staff. “Many sustained minor injuries, and one employee required medical attention as her blood pressure dropped," he said.
Following the complaint, the police registered a case against the MLA’s followers and launched a probe. A counter complaint was later lodged by the MLA’s supporters, accusing toll plaza staff of misbehaviour, wrongful obstruction and provocation.
Police said cases were also registered against certain employees, treating the matter as cross cases.
SHO Thippeswamy told Deccan Chronicle that statements were being recorded from both sides and CCTV footage was being examined.
Meanwhile, Surendra Babu alleged that his convoy was made to wait unnecessarily and claimed the toll staff behaved rudely. He said his supporters reacted only after provocation and denied allegations that the toll plaza manager had been forcibly taken away. “He was brought to the police station for discussions.”
