MLA Shanker Rao booked for threatening, abusing cop

Former minister and Congress MLA P Shanker Rao has been booked for allegedly "threatening and abusing" the Neredmet Station House Officer.

Hyderabad: A day after former minister and Congress MLA P Shanker Rao was picked up in connection with a land encroachment case, police on Friday booked him for allegedly "threatening and abusing" the Neredmet Station House Officer.

On a complaint lodged by Neredmet Circle Inspector P Srinivas, a case was registered against Rao under Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC by the Musheerabad police.

In November 2011, a criminal case was registered against the MLA, his brother P Dayanand and three others for allegedly duping the owners of housing plots in Green Field Colony.

Police wanted to question Rao in connection with the case after the High Court lifted the stay on his arrest last year and went to his residence at Musheerabad last evening.

Police maintained that Shankar Rao "threatened and abused" the Neredmet SHO, when he, along with other policemen went to serve notice on the legislator, who is accused of forging land documents of Green Field venture at Neredmet here for "illegal" gains.

The case against Rao and others is under investigation for more than one year and it is being monitored by court, a senior police officer said today adding Rao refused to take the notice and instead intimidated the police.

In an effort to complete the investigation in the case, the Neredmet Station House Officer (SHO) proceeded to the MLA`s residence at Musheerabad last evening to serve notice in order to proceed with the investigation, Deputy Commissioner of Police V Siva Kumar (Malkajgiri Zone) told reporters.

"The SHO persuaded him (Rao) and waited for more than one hour. However, Shanker Rao shouted at the SHO saying, "I will come to power and see your end." After this, the SHO informed Rao to accompany him to Neredmet police station for examination," the DCP explained.

The former minister, who despite being offered to change his clothes, said he would come to police station like that only (TV footage showed the minister wearing a lungi) and the police personnel assisted him in getting into the vehicle, the senior police officer said.

After being taken to Neredmet police station, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Alwal Division) G Ganesh Reddy was about to examine Rao, when he complained that he was not feeling well as he had recently undergone a heart surgery, Siva Kumar said.

After this, Rao`s examination was stopped by police and he was sent to Gandhi Hospital for treatment. The doctors, who initially examined Rao advised him to undergo medical investigations, the DCP said.

Rao was later shifted to a corporate hospital in Banjara Hills, where his health check-ups and treatment were conducted today.

"It is proposed that Shanker Rao be examined after his health improves," the DCP added.

Meanwhile, the AP State Human Rights Commission called for a report from the police over picking up of Shanker Rao, after a petition was filed before it.

PTI

Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.