KCR Farmhouse Ritual Row: Seven Arrested, Police Hunt for More Accused

Police have arrested seven people in connection with an alleged ‘purification’ ritual held near the farmhouse of BRS president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) at Erravelli in Siddipet district. The incident, which allegedly involved sprinkling turmeric water near Varadarajapur on September 8, has sparked controversy over claims that the act was intended to demean members of the Dalit community.

The case was registered at the Markook Police Station following a complaint lodged by representatives of the Congress SC department. Police invoked provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other relevant laws while investigating the allegations. The complainants alleged that the so-called purification exercise was conducted in a manner that insulted Dalits.

As part of the investigation, police examined photographs, videos and other material connected with the incident. Based on the available evidence, investigators identified 15 people who were allegedly involved in organising or participating in the programme.

Of those identified, seven were arrested in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, on September 14. The accused were later produced before the Gajwel court, which sent them to judicial remand. Police said the investigation is continuing and efforts are underway to locate and apprehend the remaining accused.

The alleged purification ritual took place against the backdrop of a political protest near KCR’s farmhouse. On September 8, Congress workers and Dalit organisations gathered near the premises to protest against the police action of preventing BRS MLAs from entering the Assembly gates a day earlier, on September 7.

The protest also brought alleged remarks concerning Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar into focus. The remarks were attributed to BRS MLC Tata Madhusudhan, triggering a fresh political controversy during the developments surrounding the protest.

Madhusudhan, however, has denied making the alleged remarks, stating that he had not made any such comments against the Speaker.

The latest arrests have added another dimension to the political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the BRS, with the police investigation now focusing on the remaining individuals allegedly involved in the controversial programme.