The Vijayawada police on Monday took into custody Komma Kotlu, a key associate of former Gannavaram MLA and senior YSRCP leader Vallabhaneni Vamsi Mohan, in connection with the case related to kidnapping of Dalit youth Mudunuri Satya Vardhan.
According to police, Kotlu, who has been absconding for several months, surfaced at the Patamata Police Station earlier in the day and surrendered.
He is listed as Accused No. 2 (A-2) in the case. Vamsi is Accused No. 1 (A-1) in the case.
The police conducted a medical examination on him at the Vijayawada government hospital before producing him before a local magistrate.
Speaking briefly to the media while being escorted by police, Kotlu said he had done nothing wrong.
“I have no involvement in the Satya Vardhan kidnapping case,” he said, adding that he surrendered voluntarily because a case had been filed against him.
“I believe the court will deliver justice,” he stated.
The kidnapping case relates to an attack on the TDP office at Gannavaram in 2023. As the police began investigating the case after the TDP-led coalition came to power last year, Satya Vardhan, who was a computer operator at the Gannavaram TDP office, approached the Patamata police in Vijayawada and stated that he was kidnapped and threatened by Vallabhaneni Vamsi and others and forced him to submit a false affidavit before the court stating that he was not a witness to the attack on the TDP office.
Based on the complaint from the victim Satyavardhan, the police registered cases against Vamsi under BNS sections 140 (1) (kidnapping), 308 (extortion), 351(3) (criminal intimidation by threat of death), read with 3 (5) and under sections 3 (2) and 3(1) the SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act.
The police believe Kotlu played a crucial role in the abduction and transportation of the victim.
Two other accused; Telaprolu Ramu and Vajra Kumar; recently surrendered before a court. Another key accused, Erramsetti Ram Anjaneyulu, was earlier arrested by Patamata police.
With non-bailable warrants issued against several absconding suspects, Kotlu’s surrender marks a turning point in the investigation.
Police are expected to intensify efforts to apprehend the remaining accused.