In Ongole, Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, six people have been arrested by the police for allegedly attacking and urinating on a tribal man during a clash related to his relationship with a girl. According to a PTI report, the victim, Mota Naveen, was subjected to this horrifying incident on June 19 by Mannam Ramanjaneyulu and eight others. Among the eight individuals involved, two were juveniles, and Ramanjaneyulu is currently evading arrest.
Prakasam district superintendent of police, Mallika Garg, revealed that Naveen and Ramanjaneyulu were initially friends, but a dispute arose due to the latter's relationship with a girl connected to Ramanjaneyulu's friend. Subsequently, a case was filed against Naveen under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and he was sent on remand. However, despite these legal actions, Naveen continued his relationship with the girl, further aggravating Ramanjaneyulu and his friends, causing their friendship to deteriorate.
Garg explained that Ramanjaneyulu, seemingly reconciling with Naveen, invited him for drinks after a few days. However, after consuming alcohol, Ramanjaneyulu and his friends launched a violent attack on Naveen, with the accused also committing the degrading act of urinating on him.
Following the assault, Naveen filed a police complaint and received medical treatment at a hospital. However, he did not pursue the case further or disclose the incident involving urination. Nonetheless, during a thorough investigation, the police discovered videos depicting the appalling act of urinating on Naveen.
Considering the gravity of the crime and the fact that Naveen belongs to a tribal community, the police invoked the Prevention of SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes) Atrocities Act suo motu (on its own) in the case.
Garg clarified that this was not a premeditated case of caste prejudice, as all the individuals involved were initially friends. Furthermore, both Ramanjaneyulu and Naveen have a history of engaging in several serious crimes, with approximately 30 cases registered against them.
The police are actively searching for Ramanjaneyulu as the investigation into the shocking incident continues.
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