infolead

Rajeswari names MLA, two other public representatives in dying declaration
HYDERABAD: A physically challenged woman agriculture official, who set herself ablaze allegedly unable to bear the harassment by a legislator, succumbed to her injuries in the early hours of Sunday.
B. Rajeswari, the mandal agriculture officer who joined duty at Devarakadra mandal in Mahabubnagar district in Andhra Pradesh six months ago, immolated herself at her residence on October 14. Rajeswari who suffered 60 per cent burns was rushed to a corporate hospital in Hyderabad.
Rajeswari, in her dying declaration recorded before a magistrate, is believed to have mentioned that “mental harassment” by the MLA and two other public representatives forced her to take the extreme step.
The Mahabubnagar police registered a case of suspicious death under Section 174 of Cr.PC and handed over the body to her family after conducting an autopsy.
According to Marikal SI S. Raghava Rao, the police were waiting for a copy of the dying declaration to make the necessary changes in the Sections. However, there was no formal complaint from the parents of the deceased about the alleged harassment.
Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy said appropriate action would be initiated once the dying declaration was obtained.
Small Scale Industries Minister D.K. Aruna who called on the victim’s family handed over Rs. 30,000 as immediate assistance and also promised action.
The legislator has refuted the charge and termed it politically motivated.
Call for agitation The AP State BC Welfare Association gave a call for an agitation to pressure the government to take action against the MLA.
The BJP and CPI demanded payment of ex gratia of Rs. 10 lakh to the family of the victim in addition to a job.

Mahabubnagar Correspondent writes:
Rajeswari’s parents alleged that pressure was brought on her by the MLA and the others for distribution of 32 subsidised sprinklers to their supporters.
The MLA, MPP president C. Bharathi Reddy and Devarakadra ZPTC, Pradeep Goud, wanted these to be distributed to their supporters. This was resisted by Ms. Rajeshwari, they said.