Manual scavengers' death: Ramky chief appears before cops

Ramky Enterprises chief A A Ramareddy appeared before the police on Sunday in connection with the death of three manual scavengers while cleaning a manhole at Kaggadasapura near CV Raman Nagar on March 7.

He had absconded after the incident, but had obtained anticipatory bail about a week ago. 
He appeared before the police as per the court’s directions to make a statement. Ramareddy said he was not responsible for the death of the scavengers.

He said the company had bagged several prizes for excellent work. Ramareddy said his firm had bagged the contract from BWSSB to clean the manhole and had assigned the job to a contractor. The tragedy occurred due to the contractor’s negligence and the company regretted the incident, Ramareddy said.

The police said they would examine the statement and submit the charge sheet to the court.
Tatta Thavitayya, Dantha Yarrayya, both natives of Srikakulam district (Andhra Pradesh), and Anjaneya Reddy, a native of Prakasam district (Andhra Pradesh), were choked to death while cleaning the manhole.

The Baiyappanahalli police had arrested K Babu Reddy, assistant general manager and in-charge of Bengaluru-based projects, N T Reddy, manager, and Vemula Anjaneyulu, the sub-contractor, in connection with the incident.

Babu Reddy was arrested in Hyderabad and the other two were taken into custody from their houses in Bengaluru.

They have been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Section 8 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Rehabilitation Act, 2013.