Tadikonda Police Deny Assault Claims in Man's Death, Probe Underway

An investigation is underway into the death of a 30-year-old man from Ponnekallu village in Tadikonda mandal, with police formally denying allegations of assault at a police station.

The deceased, identified as Chikati Gopi, was summoned to the Tadikonda police station on June 25 in connection with a theft case and was released the following day. According to a press release from the office of District Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal, his family subsequently noticed he had developed a fever.

Gopi was initially taken to the Ponnekallu government hospital before being transferred to the Guntur Government Hospital and later to the Tenali Government Hospital on medical advice. He remained in Tenali until August 31, after which he was moved back to Guntur. He complained of chest pain and was declared dead on September 1.

Following a written complaint from his wife, Jyothi, police registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which corresponds to the erstwhile Section 174 of the Cr.P.C.

Addressing circulating rumours that Gopi died after being assaulted in custody, police stated that CCTV footage from the Tadikonda station has been examined and shows no evidence of physical assault. To ensure impartiality, Medikonduru Inspector M. Madhusudana Rao has been appointed as the investigating officer.

Police confirmed that inquest and post-mortem procedures have been completed and the body has been handed over to relatives. They have appealed to the public not to believe or spread unverified information as the investigation continues.