Theft suspect thrashed by cops; kin stage protest

Pidugurala(Guntur): Tension prevailed here on Wednesday morning with the relatives of Sheik Saida, an accused in a theft case, fell unconscious in the police station after being beaten black and blue by police, allegedly in their bid to make him confess in a theft case.

The incident came to light only on Wednesday after the relatives of Sheik organised a dharna at the police station. According to the relatives of Sheik Saida, golden jewellery was stolen in the house of a local doctor Rama Krishna on Sunday night. Sheik Saida runs a gas welding shop near the doctor's house and police picked him for questioning on Monday. He was allegedly thrashed severely by the police throughout Monday night.

Police reportedly kicked him on his private parts resulting in his losing consciousness. Unconscious Saida was handed over to his family members on Tuesday morning who first took him to a private hospital for first aid and later to Government General Hospital at Guntur where he has been undergoing since Tuesday.

The irate family members and relatives staged a dharna at the Pidugurala police station and tension prevailed for some time. Meanwhile, DSP Madhusudana Rao rushed to the police station and defused the tension by pacifying the crowd. He also enquired about the theft at the Sheik Saida's shop and in the neighbourhood. The condition of Sheik is said to be serious.