Tadikonda police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), corresponding to the erstwhile Section 174 of the Cr.P.C., and launched an investigation into the suspicious death of 30-year-old Chikati Gopi of Ponnekallu village in Tadikonda mandal.

According to a press release from the office of the District Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal on Wednesday, Gopi was summoned to the Tadikonda police station on June 25 in connection with a theft case and was released the following day.

His family later noticed that he had developed a fever and took him to the Ponnekallu government hospital. On doctors’ advice, he was shifted to the Guntur Government Hospital and subsequently to the Tenali Government Hospital for further treatment.

He was undergoing treatment at Tenali until August 31, after which he was shifted back to the Guntur Government Hospital. Doctors declared him dead on September 1 after he complained of chest pain.

Following a written complaint from his wife, Jyothi, police registered a case under Section 194 of the BNSS.

Police said rumours were circulating that Gopi had died after being assaulted at the police station. The police said that CCTV footage from the Tadikonda police station had been examined so far and no evidence of physical assault on Gopi had been found.

To ensure an impartial investigation, Medikonduru Inspector M. Madhusudana Rao was appointed as the investigating officer. Police said the inquest and post-mortem procedures were completed and the body was handed over to the relatives.

The investigation is continuing. Police have appealed to people not to believe or circulate unverified information.

Tension prevailed in front of the Block Development Office after differently-abled persons attempted a road blockade demanding regular work under the 100-day employment scheme at Modakkurichi here on Wednesday (May 27, 2026).

More than 50 members of the Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers gathered at the Modakkurichi Panchayat Union office to submit a petition to the Block Development Officer (BDO). The protesters alleged that differently-abled persons across the 23 panchayats in the union were not being provided regular employment opportunities under the government scheme.

As the BDO was reportedly not present in the office, the protesters attempted to stage a sudden road blockade on the Erode–Muthur Main Road in front of the Block Development Office. Police personnel rushed to the spot and informed them that protests without permission were not allowed.

However, the protesters refused to withdraw, insisting that officials immediately address their long-pending demands. Following an argument between the protesters and police, officers forcibly removed the demonstrators from the road and shifted them into police vehicles, creating a brief commotion in the area.

Later, BDO Devaki returned to the office and held discussions with the protesters. After receiving assurances that action would be taken soon, the protesters dispersed peacefully. They also alleged police excesses during the incident.