1,370 named accused in FIRs

Special Investigation Team (SIT) chief Vineet Brijlal met with state DGP Harish Kumar Gupta to submit a 150-page confidential report on the violence that occurred on polling day and during the post-poll period, which disrupted law and order in the districts of Palnadu, Tirupati, and Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh. A total of 33 cases have been registered, with 1370 individuals cited as accused in the FIRs. Out of these, 124 have been arrested, 1152 remain at large, and 94 have been issued notices under Section 41-A of the Cr.P.C.
In Anantapur, the SIT cited 728 accused, arresting 91, while 634 are yet to be apprehended, and 3 have been served with 41A notices. In Tirupati district, 61 accused were cited, with 14 arrests made and 47 still at large; no 41A notices have been served.
In Palnadu, 581 individuals were cited, 19 arrested, 471 remain to be apprehended, and 91 have been served with 41A notices.
Following the violence, the SIT was formed, consisting of 12 members, including 1 SP, 1 Additional SP, 4 DSP, and 7 Inspectors of Police, alongside a Legal Advisor. Four sub-teams were created, each led by a DSP. Two teams were deployed to Palnadu, one to Anantapur, and one to Tirupati.
The SIT identified 33 cases across the three districts (Palnadu – 22 cases in 3 Assembly Constituencies within the limits of 8 Police Stations, Anantapur – 7 cases in 1 Assembly Constituency within 1 Police Station, and Tirupati – 4 cases in 2 Assembly Constituencies), focusing on the most severe incidents of violence on poll and post-poll days.
SIT sub-teams camped in the respective districts to thoroughly review the investigations, examine records, visit crime scenes, interact with investigating officers (IOs) and aggrieved parties, verify physical evidence and witness statements, ensuring the appropriate legal sections were applied, and confirm that all incidents were properly registered and that accused individuals were identified and arrested.
The SIT noted that many of these offences were extremely serious, involving large groups who pelted stones indiscriminately, posing a risk of serious injuries or death.
The SIT identified several lapses in the investigations and issued clear instructions to the investigating officers for prompt compliance.
Special teams were formed at the district level to identify and apprehend the accused.
IOs were instructed to file memos in the concerned courts to add appropriate legal sections to the existing ones, collect digital evidence such as CCTV footage and videos, arrest the accused, and file charge sheets promptly. During their field visits, the SIT received representations from various aggrieved persons and verified the facts for further necessary action.
After submitting the confidential detailed report and discussing the SIT’s findings, the DGP expressed satisfaction. The DGP further directed the concerned District SP, DIG, Anantapur, and IG, Guntur to take the necessary actions to complete the investigations in coordination with the SIT team.