Chilkur Balaji Temple Priest Attack: Prime Accused Moves HC to Quash Remand
Hyderabad: K. Veera Raghava Reddy, the prime suspect in the assault on Chilkur Balaji temple priest C.S. Rangarajan, filed a petition in the Telangana High Court on Thursday, February 13, seeking to overturn the remand order against him.
Reddy’s attorney, Sunkara Naresh, argued that the charges against his client did not constitute a crime and that both the arrest and remand were unlawful. The court has adjourned the case to Friday, allowing the assistant public prosecutor time to obtain information from Narsingi police regarding Reddy’s writ petition.
Six More Arrested
The Moinabad police have arrested six more individuals in connection with the attack on the Chilkur Balaji head priest.
On February 7, Veera Raghava Reddy, the founder of the Rama Rajyam organisation, along with his associates, allegedly trespassed into the residence of head priest C.S. Rangarajan in Chilkur village, Moinabad, and attacked him following a disagreement.
Reports indicate that Reddy had approached Rangarajan for support in expanding his organisation, Rama Rajyam. He sought financial assistance and recruitment help from the priest, but after being refused, an altercation ensued, leading to the attack.
Earlier, the police had arrested Raghava Reddy and five others in connection with the case and remanded them. Authorities have also confirmed that 14 other accused individuals remain absconding.
According to Moinabad police, the accused were arrested on charges of assault and extortion. They have been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 189(2), 333, 115, 352, 351, and 308.
Attack on Chilkur Balaji Head Priest
On February 7, around 20-25 members of the Hindutva group Rama Rajyam attacked chief priest C.S. Rangarajan after he refused to provide financial support and assist in recruiting members for their organisation.
The accused, who claimed to belong to the ‘Ikshvaku’ clan, allegedly assaulted the priest for not endorsing their mission. The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are expected.
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