2 held for damaging statue of Ambedkar
Two youngsters who damaged the stature of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, which was kept ready for unveiling were arrested by Rachakonda police in Balapur on Thursday. The arrested were identified as Boda Naveen, 19, and Anagondal Raju, 19. Another person, Bandla Shiva, 22, is absconding.
Koppula Suresh, a resident of Balapur village lodged a complaint on Thursday saying that the trio came to attend a marriage function at the Ambedkar Yuvajana Sangham building in SC Colony of Balapur on Wednesday. After attending the function, the trio entered the room where a new statue of Dr Ambedkar, which was supposed to be installed in front of the building was placed.
There Naveen and Raju started beating the statue with hands and legs while Shiva sat on its head while recording the whole scene in his mobile phone. Later in the night, they circulated the video on social media among their group.
Based on a complaint from Koppula Suresh, a case was registered under Sections 295 (damaging or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religious feelings of any class), 448 (Punishment for house-trespass), 427 (Mischief causing damage) and 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace).
During inquiry, SI Vishnuvardhan Reddy who is investigating the case collected all the evidences and after inspecting the scene of offence, arrested Naveen and Raju and sent them to judicial remand while a hunt is on to nab Shiva.