FIR Filed Against Former Andhra CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy Over Rally Incident

Incident Overview

Authorities in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, have initiated a first information report against former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and several aides following the tragic death of a 65-year-old man during a YSR Congress Party rally on June 18.

According to Guntur District Superintendent of Police S Satish Kumar, the victim, Cheeli Singaiah, was fatally injured after being struck by a vehicle in Jagan Mohan Reddy's convoy while it was traveling along the national highway near Etukuru village.

The convoy was en route from Tadepalli to Sattenapalli, where Reddy was scheduled to meet the family of a party worker who had tragically taken his own life last year amid allegations of police harassment.

Singaiah was discovered injured by the roadside and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

A case was initially filed based on a complaint from Singaiah’s wife, citing negligence leading to death. However, after reviewing security footage, the police escalated the charges to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and abetment.

The FIR includes names such as Jagan Mohan Reddy, his driver Ramana Reddy, personal assistant Nageswar Reddy, MP YV Subba Reddy, and former ministers Perni Nani and Vidadala Rajini, all of whom were present in the vehicle that struck Singaiah.

Superintendent Kumar stated, “We have definitive evidence that Singaiah was run over by the vehicle of former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.” He also noted that while the former chief minister was authorized a convoy of 14 vehicles, over 50 cars were involved during the rally.

The police are considering further legal measures regarding the alleged breach of conditions set for the rally permit.

Following the incident, state minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar criticized Jagan Mohan Reddy for jeopardizing public safety for political gain.

In response, the YSR Congress Party claimed the video evidence was manipulated and accused the authorities of conducting a smear campaign against them.

The party also expressed concerns over the police's changing narrative, asserting that the Guntur superintendent had initially claimed the vehicle involved was a private car.

Jagan Mohan Reddy's Response

Jagan Mohan Reddy questions TDP government

On Monday, Jagan Mohan Reddy publicly questioned the Telugu Desam Party government regarding the withdrawal of his Z-plus security detail.

He raised concerns on social media, asking, “Why were your pilot vehicles, including security and rope parties, absent when so many people were near my vehicle, which is supposed to have Z-plus security?”

He further inquired, “If your claims are accurate, how could anyone end up under the vehicle? What is the reality? Is it that you failed to provide security, or that no one fell under the vehicle?”

Reddy asserted that his convoy adhered to security protocols and accused the N Chandrababu Naidu administration of neglecting to ensure adequate safety, which he believes contributed to the incident.