Karimnagar: Huzurabad BRS MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy was booked by police on Thursday for allegedly abusing the Karimnagar City Police Commissioner on religious grounds and obstructing officials during duty. Cases were registered under Sections 126(2), 132, 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with additional charges related to verbal abuse, intimidation, and interference with public servants, police said.
The incident occurred when Kaushik Reddy visited the Sammakka Jatara in Veenavanka, Karimnagar district, accompanied by family members in a large convoy. Police stopped the vehicles, citing High Court directions permitting only limited vehicular movement during the festival. Angered by the restriction, the MLA reportedly exited his vehicle and staged a protest on the national highway with his family, allegedly making derogatory remarks against the Police Commissioner and threatening officers, claiming a BRS government would return to power.
A heated exchange followed between the MLA and police personnel, during which pushing reportedly took place. Police later allowed only four vehicles to proceed, after which Kaushik Reddy reached Veenavanka. Another controversy erupted at the venue when the MLA allegedly insisted that a Dalit woman sarpanch perform a coconut-breaking ritual. Despite police asking him to leave, he reportedly refused, prompting officers to forcibly escort him out.
Police sources said tensions were already brewing between Sammakka Jatara trustee Udayananda Reddy’s group and Kaushik Reddy’s supporters, and the MLA was stopped earlier to prevent any possible clash during the festival.