3 attempt suicide in police stations, one dies

KADAPA/ONGOLE/CHITTOOR: One person 'committed' suicide and two others attempted to end their lives in police stations in Kadapa, Prakasam and Chittoor districts respectively on Saturday.In Kadapa district, 27-year-old Gangulaiah was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Khajipet police station on Friday evening. But the incident came to light on Saturday. Police maintained that Gangulaiah, a sweeper in Chennur panchayat office, committed suicide by hanging himself in the bathroom.On December 21, while Gangulaiah stood on the Penna bridge, a couple from Chennur were crossing the bridge on foot on their way to B Mattam along with their 13yearold mentally challenged daughter.On seeing the difficulty of the couple in carrying their daughter, a motorcyclist took her on his vehicle and left her on the other side of the bridge. But Gangulaiah, who was in an inebriated condition, took the girl to nearby bushes and outraged her modesty.Some passersby caught hold of Gangulaiah and handed him over to the Khajipet police. But the couple refused to lodge a complaint fearing humiliation.The police reportedly thrashed him during interrogation. He was allegedly forced to clean toilets for three days. Gangulaiah, who came to his senses, was said to have gone into depression on knowing of his act. He was said to have committed suicide by hanging himself with his lungi.However, it is yet to be ascertained whether he committed suicide or died due to police 'torture'. Later, the body of Gangulaiah was shifted to RIMS Hospital in Kadapa. After that, the victim and her mother were summoned to the police station and were 'forced' to lodge a complaint.Meanwhile, a 32yearold man reportedly attempted suicide at Madanapalle police station in Chittoor district when he brought there in a vehicle theft case. Kumar Swamy Reddy of Piler is an accused in several vehicle thefts. He was apprehended at a lodge in Madanapalle. He attempted to end his life by consuming some liquid from a bottle he was carrying. He fell unconscious and was shifted to a hospital, where his condition is stated to be stable. The police denied the report that Kumar Swamy consumed pesticide.In another incident, S Prabhavati (24) of Ulavapadu village, attempted suicide by consuming petrol at Kandukuru police station in Prakasam district. She was admitted to a private hospital, where doctors declared her out of danger. Sources said Prabhavati had run away with a married man and was forced to return to the village on Saturday.