Andhra police chief orders action against cops who thrashed murder suspects

Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police B Prasada Rao on Monday ordered for initiating disciplinary action against a woman deputy superintendent of police and other policemen in Anantapur district who allegedly thrashed in full public view four suspects arrested for a murder.

Condemning the act, the AP police chief directed the DIG (Anantapur Range) to initiate disciplinary action against the lady police officer and other policemen.

"It is condemnable...I have asked the DIG (Anantapur Range) to initiate disciplinary action and we will take action," Prasada Rao told PTI. The DIG will conduct an inquiry into the matter, he said.

The footage of the incident, which reportedly occurred on Saturday in Guntakal town of Anantapur district, was telecast on Sunday by local news channels that showed a police team led by DSP Supraja and other police personnel beating up the four suspects in full public view.

Police picked up one Sekhar for allegedly murdering his father-in-law Mallaiah, 65, along with his accomplices Somu, Peddanna alias Peddi and Hussain, on November 27 at Old Bus Stand in the town. They took all the four suspects to the place of crime.

As per the footage aired by news channels, the four were seen kneeling down with their hands folded and police officers, including DSP Supraja, inspector Sreenivasulu and sub-inspector Ismail, hitting them repeatedly with sticks. A policeman was also seen slapping the four.

Image: TV grab of Andhra Pradesh police beating up murder suspects