Andhra Pradesh

Custody for Suri extended in Paritala Ravindra murder case

Staff Reporter

Key accused kept in Anantapur jail in line with court orders

ANANTAPUR: The judicial custody of 12 persons accused in the Paritala Ravindra murder case, including the key accused, G. Suryanarayana Reddy alias Suri, was extended till June 30 by the Additional Judicial First Class Magistrate, A. Jayaraj, here on Thursday.

Suri, who was shifted to Visakhapatnam central jail from the district jail near here on May 21, as per the orders of the Election Commission of India, was brought back here late on Wednesday night. He was shifted to the Cherlapalli jail in Hyderabad from Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.

The court questioned the authority of the police in shifting Suri to Visakhapatnam without seeking its permission, on a petition moved by counsel for Suri and other accused persons, C. Adisesha Reddy.

The court further directed the jail authorities not to shift Suri anywhere without its knowledge and keep him in the sub-jail near here. Mr. Adisesha Reddy argued that the security of his clients, particularly that of Suri, was in danger in other jails and it was safe for them to be lodged here. The judge agreed with the argument and directed the police and jail authorities to keep him in Anantapur jail itself. However, a brief drama unfolded when the Superintendent of the district jail at Reddypalli near here, Fazal Haque, refused to admit Suri, stating he had standing instructions not to keep him in the sub-jail. Piqued by the jail authorities' attitude, the escort policemen of the undertrials took Suri back to the court dropping 10 other accused in the jail. Annoyed with Mr. Haque's action, the judge summoned the jail Superintendent to the court and issued fresh orders to keep Suri there or face action for disobeying court orders.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu