Hyderabad: Former MLC Kavitha, recently suspended from the BRS, has launched a scathing attack on ex-MP Santosh Rao, accusing him of amassing wealth through illegal means and misusing his political influence. She alleged that during the 2017 Nerella incident in Sircilla district—when a Dalit youth died after being hit by a sand truck—Santosh Rao pressured police from behind the scenes, leading to the custodial torture of seven Dalit youths. Families of the victims were left devastated, she claimed.
Kavitha further alleged that although Santosh was responsible, another leader, Ramanna, was wrongly defamed. She accused Rao of having an “understanding” with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to close cases like the “tonic scam.” In a fresh twist, victims of the Nerella case have lodged a complaint at the Tangallapalli police station, demanding the registration of SC/ST Atrocities cases against Santosh Rao. They accused the police of subjecting them to third-degree torture at his behest. Whether the police will now register the case has become a hot topic in political circles.
The 2017 Nerella case had triggered nationwide outrage, with human rights bodies and political leaders condemning the custodial torture of Dalits who resisted illegal sand mining. Kavitha alleged that Santosh Rao orchestrated the sand mafia operations without the knowledge of KCR, misusing the former Chief Minister’s name, which tarnished both KCR’s image and the party’s reputation. She claimed innocent people suffered severely because of his actions.
Kavitha also accused Rao of granting positions and contracts to leaders like Pochampalli Srinivas and Naveen Rao, consolidating his influence within the party for personal gain. These explosive allegations, made after her suspension, have created a storm in Telangana politics. Citing these issues, Kavitha subsequently resigned from both the BRS and her MLC position.