Police protection to kin of 4 accused killed in Disha case

Following a petition by the enquiry commission investigating the death of four accused in Disha case encounter at Shamshabad near Hyderabad in November 2019, the state government has on Wednesday provided police protection to family members as well as lawyers of the accused.

Independent counsel P. V. Krishnamachary, representing families of the four men accused of gang rape and murder of a 26-year-old veterinary doctor at Shamshabad, said the enquiry commission had filed a petition in the virtual court’s hearing after learning how the families of accused are under threat. “The court then ordered the state government to provide protection to family members of the accused. Accordingly, police teams have been deployed in Gudigandla village, where the family members stay,” Krishnamachary said.

The accused killed in the encounter with police are Md. Arif (26), the lorry driver, Jollu Naveen, Jollu Shiva and Ch. Chennakesavulu, all 20 years of age.

Explaining the threats revealed by their family members, the advocate said on August 21 afternoon, Jollu Naveen’s father Rajappa was ambushed by two men on a bike. “Though Rajappa escaped the first attack, those on the bike turned their vehicle and tried to attack again. Locals in the area noticed the same and started shouting. Following this, the attackers warned Rajappa to stay away from the case and speeded off. The vehicle of attackers was black in colour and did not have a number plate.

Similarly, family members of Jollu Naveen, Shiva and Chennakesavulu allege that some men in police uniform had approached them to sign on summons issued by courts. When their counsel Krishnamachary inquired, courts said they had not sent any such documents. When these matters had been raised during the hearing held in the virtual court, the court asked the state government to provide protection, Krishnamachary stated.

Incidentally, in March 2020, Kurumaiah, father of Chennakesavulu, was killed after he was hit by a car.

Makthal police confirmed that a security detail of eight persons is protecting families of the four accused in the Disha case.

All the four had been shot dead at Chatanpally on National Highway 44 near Hyderabad, where the charred body of the 27-yearold Disha (as the woman is referred to by investigators) was found. While police said the accused had attempted to flee, activists had alleged that it was a case of extrajudicial killing by authorities.

Disha was kidnapped and sexually assaulted near Outer Ring Road (ORR) on the outskirts of Hyderabad on the night of November 27,

2019. After the sexual assault, the accused murdered her, took her body to Chatanpally and set it afire.