Driver jailed for attack on Andhra legislator

HYDERABAD - The drivr of a Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) legislator was Friday jail until March 29 for hitting Lok Satta president Jaiprakash in the Andhra Pradesh assembly premises the day before.

Mallesh, driver of TRS leader E. Rajender, was produced before Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar, who ordered that he be lodged in jail till the end of the budget session March 29.

As the precincts of the assembly come under the control of the speaker, he had directed police to arrest the accused and produce him.

Manohar informed the house that an outsider was involved in the attack and it was breach of privilege of the member. He also sought a detailed report on the incident from Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K. Khan.

Earlier, a first information report (FIR) was registered on a complaint by legislature secretary Raja Sadaram.

Mallesh has been booked under Section 353 of the Indian Penal Code, which relates to assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty.

Mallesh allegedly hit Jaiprakash on his head. The legislator was attacked soon after he spoke to the media criticising TRS legislators for their behaviour during Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan’s address.

As Jaiprakash, a former bureaucrat, was leaving the media point, TRS legislators had a heated argument with him. A few minutes later Mallesh allegedly hit Jaiprakash on his head from the back.

The TRS legislators and supporters also pushed Congress legislator P. Venkat Rao, who like Jaiprakash is against the demand for a separate Telangana state.

The Lok Satta chief stated Thursday that he would not lodge a complaint against anybody. He termed it as an attack on democracy.

Educational institutions in Andhra and Raylaseema regions were closed to protest the attack.

Students at universities in the Andhra and Rayalseema regions took out rallies condemning the incident.