The Former Bigg Boss Telugu contestant Nutan Naidu arrested for harassment and tonsuring Dalit worker in Andhra Pradesh’s capital city Vishakapatnam. The filmmaker’s wife had accused the man from the oppressed caste of stealing a mobile phone and tonsured his head as punishment. According to Visakhapatnam City Commissioner of Police Manish Kumar Sinha, Nutan Naidu was arrested in Karnataka’s Udupi district on Thursday, even as he was trying to flee to Maharashtra.
The Nutan Naidu arrest was done by the Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka police officials together and Nutan Naidu was produced before a local court in Karnataka. He will be brought to Andhra Pradesh shortly. Besides the assault and tonsuring case, Nutan Naidu was also booked for cheating and under other relevant sections
The Visakhapatnam Commissioner of police said that they have arrested Nutan Naidu only after a probe which proved his role in the incident. Police said to have found evidence of Nutan Naidu’s role as he spoke with his wife before and after the incident over a video call. Nutan Naidu absconded soon after the incident came into light in the last week. But both the assault and tonsuring of the 20-year-old victim, Parre Srikanth was recorded on CCTV in Nutan Naidu’s house, which is in Pendurthi.
Investigation revealed that the tonsuring and assault had taken place at the behest of Priya Madhuri, along with her six others who have been arrested by the Vizag police. Police are further probing if the accused have sent the videos and selfies they have taken during the assault. According to reports in regional media, Nutan Naidu tried to influence the investigation by making calls to officials and impersonating senior IAS officers and police officers.
All the accused booked under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder), 342 (wrongful confinement), 324 (voluntairily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) r/w 34 IPC (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and 3(1)(e), 3 (2)(v) of the SC/ST Act. A local court in Visakhapatnam has remanded them for two weeks.