Daijiworld Media Network – Amaravati
Amaravati, Jul 2: A fresh twist has emerged in the controversial death of 55-year-old Cheeli Singaiah, who was fatally run over by a vehicle in former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s convoy last month. The deceased’s wife, Lourdu Mary, has alleged foul play and blamed the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) for her husband's mysterious demise.
Speaking after meeting Mr Reddy, who has been named as 'accused number 2' in a culpable homicide case related to the incident, Mary questioned the circumstances of her husband’s death. “He had only minor injuries to his shoulder and hands. Why would he die because of that? What happened in the ambulance?” she asked.
She alleged that YSR Congress Party workers initially tried to shift her husband to a hospital, but were stopped, forcing them to wait for an ambulance. Adding to the controversy, Mary claimed that around 50 men, allegedly from TDP leader Nara Lokesh’s camp, visited her home after the incident and pressured her into signing documents, claiming to belong to the same Scheduled Caste community.
“I felt scared and stayed silent. I signed what they asked me to,” she said.
TDP chief and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu hit back strongly, accusing the YSRCP of influencing the victim’s family to protect Mr Reddy.
Meanwhile, the investigation has taken several dramatic turns. Initially, police reported that Mr Singaiah was hit by a vehicle ahead of Jagan Reddy’s SUV during a roadshow. However, drone footage later suggested it was the vehicle carrying Mr Reddy that ran over the victim. Subsequently, Reddy was named as an accused, along with the driver, who is listed as accused number 1.
The police have seized Mr Reddy’s bulletproof Toyota Fortuner for forensic examination. While the Andhra Pradesh High Court had earlier restrained police from taking coercive action, that relief expired on Tuesday.
Mr Reddy has petitioned the High Court to quash the case against him. During the hearing, Justice K Srinivas Reddy questioned the basis of the case, drawing parallels to accidents in large gatherings like the Kumbh Mela stampede earlier this year.
YSRCP has alleged that the driver was appointed by the state government under Naidu’s leadership, and blamed poor security arrangements during the roadshow. Mr Reddy’s team insists the charges are politically motivated.
As the case unfolds, both political camps continue to trade allegations, turning a tragic death into a high-stakes political battle.