MB University: 13 Held For Abducting, Assaulting SFI Leaders

The arrested persons were Ravuru Satheesh, PRO of Mohan Babu University, K. Surendra, P. Rajesh, P. Janaki Ram, Ch. Badrinadh, L. Muni Chandra, C. Surendra, P. Hemanth, N. Vasudeva, A. Muni Teja, C. Krishna Chaitanya, P. Vishesh and M. Dwaraka Sai Prathap. Police also seized three Innova cars allegedly used in the offence and a Royal Enfield motorcycle belonging to one of the victims.

Disclosing the case details at a press meet, Tirupati additional superintendent of police (law and order) Ravi Manoharachari said the case was registered at Tiruchanoor police station based on a complaint relating to an incident that occurred on February 3 near the Lemon Tree Hotel on the Tiruchanoor 150 Bypass Road. The victims, Ali Akbar and Vinod Kumar, both leaders of the SFI, were allegedly intercepted, assaulted and forcibly taken away in multiple vehicles while proceeding to submit a representation at the collectorate alleging fee irregularities at the university.

The ASP said preliminary investigation revealed that a group comprising university bouncers, students and private individuals was involved in the incident. He said the role of individuals linked to the university management, including actor Mohan Babu and his son Manchu Vishnu, was being examined as part of the investigation. Acting on the directions of SP L. Subba Rayudu, special police teams were formed and a search operation was launched, leading to the rescue of the two student leaders within a short time.

Some more accused were absconding and special teams were continuing efforts to trace and arrest them, the ASP said.

He said a counter-complaint filed by the university PRO at Chandragiri police station had also been registered and was under investigation. He cautioned that the use of bouncers must be strictly limited to personal security and within the bounds of law, warning that any misuse would invite stringent action, including against the managements concerned. The Tirupati district police would not tolerate acts of intimidation or violence and would act firmly against anyone taking the law into their own hands, he added.