Anantapur: The Anantapur district Superintendent of Police (SP), Jagadish, announced that the case involving the setting fire to the chariot of the Rama temple in Hanakanahal has been resolved within 24 hours. A suspect named Ishwar Reddy has been identified as the individual responsible for the arson.
During a media briefing in Anantapur, SP Jagadish provided details about the incident, which occurred on September 23. He stated, “The temple chariot was set on fire late at night. We were able to solve the case swiftly based on complaints from local villagers.”
He elaborated that the chariot was constructed in 2022 at a cost of ₹20 lakhs, funded by Erriswamy Reddy’s brothers without any contributions from the community. The motive behind the fire was linked to a familial dispute among the Reddy brothers. Ishwar Reddy, Erriswamy Reddy’s son, admitted to pouring petrol and igniting the chariot amidst ongoing quarrels.
SP Jagadish clarified that Ishwar Reddy is associated with the YSR Congress Party (Vaikapa) but emphasized that the incident does not have any political implications. He mentioned that further investigations are ongoing to determine if anyone else was involved in the incident.
The fire was first noticed on Monday midnight, causing panic among locals who quickly intervened to extinguish the flames. The chariot had sustained significant damage before the fire was brought under control.
In light of the recent controversy surrounding the Tirumala Laddu Prasad, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has taken a serious view of the incident and instructed police officials to conduct a thorough investigation. On Tuesday, both the District Collector, Vinod Kumar, and SP Jagadish visited the site to assess the situation and gather more information. It has been confirmed that the incident is unrelated to caste or religious disputes.
This swift resolution of the case aims to restore peace and uphold the sanctity of the temple, as local authorities continue to ensure the safety and security of religious sites.
