On the 22nd of May, the Andhra Pradesh High Court (HC) ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct an investigation into the Dr. Sudhakar Reddy case in Visakhapatnam.
The Andhra Pradesh HC was reviewing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Visakhapatnam police. The PIL was filed by V. Anita, a leader of theTelugu Desam Party (TDP.) In her petition, Ms. Anita demanded investigation in Dr. Sudhakar Reddy manhandling case, arrest and admission to a mental hospital.
On the 16th of May, Dr. Sudhakar Reddy, a civil assistant surgeon of Area Hospital, Narsipatnam was manhandled by the City police and claimed to be mentally disturbed. He was even suspended for criticising the State Government publicly for failing to provide N95 masks to the doctors treating COVID-19 patients.
On the 16th of May, after being manhandled by the City police, he was arrested for creating nuisance on the road and was beaten by the Police. He was booked under sections 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 427 (Mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC.)
Later, he was also declared as mentally unstable by doctors at the King George Hospital,Visakhapatnam and referred to shift him to Government Mental Hospital.
The incident drew a lot of attention and criticism against the City police against a doctor during the pandemic crisis due to the Novel Coronavirus. The Indian Medical Association and the opposition parties slammed the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) for such behaviour.
The IMA wrote a letter to Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Chief Minister of A.P. IN the letter, the IMA said, “There were certainly civilised ways of handling the situation by a civilian government. That he was under suspension for allegedly raising safety issues in the hospital was all the more reason for sensitive handling of the issue.”
In addition, the Andhra Pradesh High Court directed to file a case against the police officials under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC.)
The CBI would investigate the matter and submit a detailed report to the HC within eight weeks from now. The court delivered its judgment after taking into account the statement of doctor K. Sudhakar Rao, who is admitted at the Government Hospital for Mental Health.
The CBI launched its investigation regarding the matter.
Stay tuned for further updates.
