Vizianagaram man paraded with noose after ₹30,000 dispute; five arrested
Five arrested in Vizianagaram for allegedly parading a man shirtless with a noose over a ₹30,000 payment dispute; video sparked police action.
In a disturbing incident in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district, a 30-year-old man was allegedly held captive overnight, beaten, and then paraded through the streets of Ramachandra Rajupeta in Bhogapuram mandal with a noose around his neck. The ordeal, which came to light on Sunday evening after a video of the incident surfaced on social media, stemmed from a payment dispute of roughly ₹30,000.
Vizianagaram Superintendent of Police A.R. Damodar visited the location after the video went viral, spoke with the victim, and directed officials to take strict action. Following this, the Bhogapuram police registered a case against five individuals on charges including attempt to murder and kidnapping, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The victim, identified as Yella Rajesh, had reportedly taken a motorcycle for a trial run from mechanic V. Mahesh, with an agreement to purchase it for ₹25,000. During the ride, Rajesh allegedly collided with a police constable's car. Mahesh's brother paid ₹5,000 towards the repair costs, bringing the total amount sought from Rajesh to ₹30,000. Rajesh allegedly failed to pay and had been avoiding Mahesh for several days.
On the night of September 5, Rajesh was allegedly intercepted by Mahesh and L. Sriram, who took him to Mahesh's mechanic shed and confined him there overnight. The two allegedly assaulted him and threatened his life while demanding payment. When Rajesh stated the next morning that he could not pay, the two, with the alleged assistance of three others—B. Venkata Rao, N. Govind, and V. Apparao—forced him to remove his shirt, tied his hands, placed a rope noose around his neck, and marched him through the streets.
A video, reportedly shot from a vehicle following the group, shows the man walking shirtless along a two-lane road with the rope around his neck, the other end held by a pillion rider on a scooter ahead. Later in the footage, a man on foot takes the rope and pulls him along.
Bhogapuram (Rural) Circle Inspector N. Srinivasa Rao registered the case against all five accused. They were arrested and were scheduled to be produced before a court on Monday.