Date:19/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/19/stories/2006101903830800.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Venkat Reddy surrenders, sent to jail

Staff Reporter

KURNOOL: Congress leader Gouru Venkat Reddy, whose remission of punishment was quashed by the Supreme Court recently, surrendered before Superintendent of Police B. Malla Reddy here on Wednesday. Venkat Reddy presented a letter, accompanied by a copy of the Supreme Court judgment, saying that he was wanted back in the prison in the wake of the court verdict.

Mr. Malla Reddy enclosed a letter requesting the authorities of Central Prison at Charlapalli to receive Venkat Reddy. He was despatched in the vehicle escorted by a team of policemen led by Inspector Venkata Ramana. High-drama was witnessed at the official bungalow of the Superintendent of Police at Five Road Junction here when Venkata Reddy surrendered formally. Venkat Reddy accompanied by a handful of supporters arrived at the SP's office at 1 p.m. and spent 15 minutes with Mr. Malla Reddy fulfilling all legal formalities. The waiting hall at the SP's bungalow was overcrowded with presspersons and Congress supporters. The police did not want to extend the stay of Venkat Reddy at SP's Office as it would invite a large gathering. Presspersons who learnt about the surrender gathered at Brahmanakotkur, 20 km from here, in the early hours. However, Venkat Reddy left for Kurnool around 12 noon and waited for some time at the place of a relation before coming to the SP's office.