Dalit student held hostage for 4 days, forced to drink urine, brutally beaten – horrifying incident from Tirupati!
A Dalit engineering student was kidnapped and inhumanly tortured in Tirupati, subjected to caste-related abuses, forced to drink urine and given death threats.
Published on: 19 May 2025, 3:32 pm
Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh – The alleged kidnapping and mental and physical torture of a Dalit engineering student in Tirupati district for several days has sparked outrage across the state. Tiruchanur police have registered a case under serious sections of the Indian Justice Code (Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita) like kidnapping, causing grievous hurt, casteist attack, illegal confinement for more than three days and death threats.
The victim student alleged caste harassment
The case was registered on May 16, in which the victim has been identified as A. James (22 years). He is a final year B.Tech student of Sri Vidya Niketan College and a resident of Reddypalem village in Nellore district. James and his friend Guru Sai Reddy were abducted from outside the hostel. The accused were led by prime accused Yashwant. The other named accused include Kiran, Jagga, Lalit, Sai Gowda, Vanshi, Roopesh and some unidentified persons.
James said in a video statement, “I was going to meet my cousin when a group of people like KT Road Katti, Nani, Jagga stopped me and locked me in a room. They beat me brutally for three-four days.”
The victim alleged that he was abused with casteist slurs and forced to drink urine. “They said – ‘How can you, being from the SC caste, dare to do this?’ I was beaten badly. I want justice,” he said.
Kept hostage in hotel room, threatened with death
According to the police, the accused locked James and his friend on a bike in room number 209 of Elite Park Hotel, Srinivasapuram, threatening to kill them. The victims were beaten with hands, kicks, belts and iron rods. James suffered serious injuries near his eye, while his friend also sustained injuries at several places. It is reported that both of them somehow escaped while returning to Tirupati.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and strict action will be taken against the culprits. Efforts are being made to identify the other accused.
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy condemned the incident
Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy strongly condemned the incident and called it an example of increasing atrocities on Dalits and deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
He wrote on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), “There is no security left for Dalits in the state. This incident shows how the law and order is failing to provide security to the weaker sections.”
He also alleged that police did not take timely and appropriate action in the case due to political interference.
“Now it has become a common thing that when a victim goes to the police station, a case is registered against him. This incident in Tirupati is a proof of the inaction of the police and the pressure of the ruling party.”
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, former Chief Minister
He demanded that an immediate case be registered against the culprits and the Dalit student be given justice.
