Jagan attack: Accused says he fears for his life, police deny threat

Srinivasa Rao, who allegedly attacked Andhra opposition leader and YSRCP chief Jaganmohan Reddy inside Vizag airport, has claimed that he has a threat to his life. A video taken of Srinivasa being brought for a medical check-up in a city hospital has the accused repeatedly stating, “There is a threat to my life.”

However, special investigation officer BVS Nageshwar Rao denied Srinivasa’s claims stating that standard measures to protect the accused were being taken. “There were no complaints about his health or life. We have brought him to hospital for a regular check-up as per the court's direction, as every custodian needs to be medically checked every 48 hours," he told TNM.

Earlier this week, Srinivasa Rao was sent to 15-days police custody by a local court in Vizag. Police had told the court that their investigation had found that Srinivasa, who was working in Fusion Restaurant, was a strong supporter of Jagan. Police claim that the accused wanted to make a representation to the YSRCP leader, and believed that if Jagan came to power he would work to solve the grievances of the poor. He was "mentally prepared to do something" to put his concerns across to the leader, police told the court. It was on the pretext of taking a selfie with Jagan that Srinivasa attacked him with a short knife, stabbing him on his left arm.

At the time of his arrest, the police recovered a mobile phone, a small knife, another instrument with a blade, and a 10-page hand-written letter. Srinivasa was booked under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of Indian Penal Code.

The October 25 attack on Jagan has triggered a major political uproar in the two Telugu speaking states. While TDP claimed that the "drama" was orchestrated by the BJP to destabilize the AP government, YSRCP alleged that TDP has "motive" to eliminate their leader, Jagan.

Jagan also wrote to Union Home Ministry seeking a central agency probe into the attack. In the remand report, the police has claimed that the accused had a motive to "do away with the life" of Jagan.

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