The former Gannavaram MLA, Vallabhaneni Vamsi, who was arrested in the case of kidnapping a Dalit youth and subsequent threats, has been granted police custody by the SC/ST Court in Vijayawada. Vamsi is also an accused in the attack on the TDP office in Gannavaram. In this case, it is alleged that Vamsi kidnapped and threatened the main complainant, TDP office computer operator Mudunuri Sathya Vardhan, to withdraw the case. Following his arrest, Vamsi was placed in remand, but his bail petition was recently rejected by the court.
On Monday, the court issued orders allowing the police to take Vamsi into custody for three days starting from the 25th of this month (Tuesday). However, the court has set certain conditions for the investigation. The court directed that the police can only interrogate Vamsi between 10 AM and 5 PM each day. Additionally, the investigation must take place within the limits of Vijayawada, and it must be conducted in the presence of Vamsi’s lawyer.
The court also directed that after the police custody ends on the 27th, Vamsi should be subjected to medical tests before being presented back in court.
Regarding Vamsi’s medical condition, the court has allowed him to sleep on a mattress and use a Western-style toilet in jail, as he has complained of back pain and said he cannot lie on the floor. Jail authorities had previously denied such facilities, citing a lack of court orders, but with the court’s recent direction, Vamsi is now provided some relief.
Meanwhile, the police are reopening past cases involving Vamsi. Police from various stations have filed petitions in court asking for his custody to investigate these cases. If the court grants permission for these PT warrants, Vamsi may face further legal challenges.
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