NIA Issues Notices to Seven Who Attended Maoist Leader Ramachandra Reddy’s Funeral

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has issued notices to several individuals who attended and spoke at the funeral of senior CPI (Maoist) leader K. Ramachandra Reddy last year, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged support for the banned extremist organisation.

According to sources, at least seven people including a prominent lawyer have received notices from the agency and have been asked to appear before the NIA office in Hyderabad for questioning later this month. Investigators are examining speeches delivered during the funeral gathering and the possible role of those present in promoting Maoist ideology.

Ramachandra Reddy, a member of the Central Committee of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), was killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh in September last year. Considered a senior figure within the Maoist leadership structure, he had long been associated with the insurgent movement operating across parts of central and eastern India.

Following his death, his funeral was held on October 18 in his native village in Siddipet district of Telangana , where a public meeting was organised after the last rites. Authorities suspect that some of the speeches made during the gathering expressed support for the Maoist movement and its ideology.

In connection with the case, the NIA had earlier arrested Gade Innaiah alias Gade Inna Reddy (64) , a former Naxalite and social activist. He was taken into custody for allegedly making remarks during the funeral meeting that supported the banned organisation and encouraged its activities. The present notices have reportedly been issued to others who attended or addressed the gathering as part of the same investigation.

Officials are expected to question the individuals about their participation in the event, the content of their speeches and any possible links to the activities of the CPI (Maoist), which is banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) .

Meanwhile, Ramachandra Reddy’s son Raja Chandra had earlier approached the court alleging that his father was killed in a “fake encounter” by security forces in Chhattisgarh. Legal proceedings related to that claim are currently under way.

The NIA has not yet issued an official statement regarding the notices or the progress of the investigation. However, sources indicated that the probe into the funeral gathering and related activities is continuing.