27-05-2025
HRF condemns Tenali Police for public beating of accused youth
The Human Rights Forum (HRF) has strongly condemned the Tenali police for publicly assaulting three young men accused of attacking a police constable, calling the incident a gross violation of constitutional rights and the rule of law.
In a press release on Tuesday (May 27, 2025), HRF Andhra Pradesh State vice-president G. Siva Nageswara Rao, general secretary Y. Rajesh, and secretary G. Rohith, demanded an immediate inquiry into the incident and strict action against the police personnel involved under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
A video that surfaced on May 26, 2025, shows two police officers thrashing the youth in public, an act allegedly committed on April 25. According to the HRF, 'Three youth — Vemu Naveen (absconding), Ch. John Victor, Karimulla, and Rakesh — were booked for assaulting a police constable, after a complaint by constable Kanna Chiranjeevi, who allegedly was assaulted by the youth on April 24 over past enmity.'
While the accused reportedly have prior criminal cases and were allegedly involved in ganja-related activities, HRF emphasized that no crime warrants public punishment. 'The police must act within the law, not above it. Publicly beating accused persons is an affront to human dignity and justice,' the statement said.
Reacting to the development, Guntur District Superintendent of Police S. Satish Kumar told The Hindu that he ordered a detailed inquiry into these allegations and a suitable action will be taken on the persons responsible.