New details have emerged in the hit-and-run case involving the death of Bharathi Mukhi, who was struck by a car driven by Lingamaneni Sanjush, son of Jana Sena Party Rajya Sabha MP Lingamaneni Ramesh. Contrary to claims made in the MP's social media statement, reports indicate that Sanjush panicked, leaving the deceased victim at the hospital before fleeing.
His Aston Martin car hit Mukhi, a 26-year-old private employee, near Inorbit Mall in Madhapur on August 16, and the CCTV video clips in circulation showed the victim lying in a pool of blood after being hit. Her colleague was seen crying for her.
Sanjush stopped the car and walked back to the victim, and people placed the victim in his car. He drove them to the nearest private hospital and left the spot. The doctors declared that she was dead on arrival.
Madhapur police filed a case and seized the Aston Martin Sanjush drove — its value has been reported anywhere between ₹ 5 crore and ₹ 6 crore, and needs confirming before publication. Despite the incident, the Madhapur police did not arrest Sanjush, which stunned the people.
Kukatpally DCP Ritiraj backed the police decision, saying that the police booked a case against Sanjush under Section 106(1) of the BNS for causing a person's death by a rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide. This section attracts a five-year prison term if the case is proved. According to the DCP, in cases with punishments below seven years, there was no need for arrest under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Police said they were following the Supreme Court directives in the Arnesh Kumar Vs State of Bihar case.
Following the grave incident, a PR campaign was unleashed that claimed that Sanjush himself went to the police station and surrendered. However, the police statement showed this was not the case. DCP Ritiraj said that the accused was apprehended from his residence after the incident.
MP Lingamaneni Ramesh also weighed in. In a social media statement, the MP described the incident as "unfortunate and heartbreaking" and promised to extend "every possible help" to the victim's family. He supported his son's actions, saying Sanjush did not run from the spot; instead, he admitted the victim to the hospital. However, the police version proved it wrong.
Meanwhile, several media outlets reported that Sanjush tested negative for liquor and drug consumption.
