V. Hanumantha Rao, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress (INC,) was booked for violating the rules of the Nationwide lockdown in Telangana.
Mr. Rao was allegedly garlanding the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on the occasion of his 129th birth anniversary. The Saifabad Police Inspector C.H. Saidi Reddy booked Mr. Rao under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC.)
Inspector Reddy who was instructed to keep an eye on the Telangana citizens ensuring every individual follows the guidelines of the lockdown said, “A leader had approached the Ambedkar Statue at Tank Bund, we requested him to go back as a lockdown (is) imposed. However, the leader garlanded the statue.”
Mr. Reddy further said, “Hence a case has been registered against him under sections 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC,) Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant and Section 269 IPC, Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life.”
However, Mr. Rao denied the allegations and said, “Today on this occasion I went to pay tribute to Ambedkar’s statue at Tank Bund. I went there all alone and offered a garland. I did not do anything wrong as I was all alone and there was no person accompanying me. I did not disturb anyone, maintained social distancing but yet a case has been registered against me.” He further added, “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s 129th birth anniversary is being celebrated not only in India but all across the world. It is said that the coronavirus crisis is prevailing in the country.”
The Telangana Government imposed strict rules for the Nationwide lockdown and asked everyone to stay indoors as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of the Novel Coronavirus.
Till date Telangana reported 592 cases of the Coronavirus infection and 17 deaths.
Stay tuned for further updates.
