Cops conclude Pastor Praveen died in road accident while drunk

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh police have concluded that Pastor Praveen Pagadala, whose death stirred controversy, died in a road accident while travelling to Rajahmundry on his motorcycle. The 45-year-old evangelist was found dead on a roadside in Rajahmundry early on March 25.

“Praveen died due to injuries, including on the head, sustained in the accident that occurred while he was under the influence of alcohol,” said Eluru range IG, GVG Ashok Kumar.

While local police initially classified the incident as an accident, Christian organisations quickly challenged this assessment and organised protests demanding a thorough investigation.

They claimed the circumstances surrounding Pastor Praveen's death were suspicious and warranted a comprehensive inquiry. In response, the Andhra Pradesh government ordered an in-depth probe, with police forming special investigation teams.

During a press conference on Saturday, Eluru Range IG Ashok Kumar shared details of the investigation, noting that investigators examined CCTV footage and questioned 92 people. Kumar emphasised that Praveen's family members expressed no suspicions about his death.

The investigation revealed that Praveen purchased alcohol three times—in Hyderabad, Kodad, and Eluru—while en route to Rajahmundry, making digital payments via his phone. Police based their conclusions on evidence from the post-mortem examination, FSL report, and analysis from the Central Forensic Laboratory in Hyderabad.

"No vehicle hit Praveen during the accident near Kontamuru. The road there contains substantial gravel due to ongoing construction. He fell into a seven-foot ditch from the roadside while riding his motorcycle at 70 kilometers per hour. During the fall, his motorcycle landed on him, causing severe head trauma and other bodily injuries that resulted in his immediate death," explained IG Ashok Kumar.

The IG also addressed social media allegations, stating that those making claims failed to provide any evidence. "Praveen experienced three minor accidents along his journey. Near Jaggayyapeta, an alert RTC bus driver narrowly avoided hitting him. At Keesar Toll Plaza, he lost control and fell from his motorcycle. Forensic experts confirmed no other vehicle collided with Praveen's motorcycle, which was in fourth gear during the accident. The accident occurred at a construction site with gravel and stones present, and the forensic report indicates Praveen was fatally injured when his motorcycle struck the gravel and then hit him."

According to Kumar, Praveen's condition was visibly concerning even at a petrol station in Gollapudi, Vijayawada, yet he continued his journey. After another incident at Ramavarapadu in Vijayawada, a traffic SI advised him against further travel. Despite this warning, after resting on the grass for over two hours, Praveen proceeded to Rajahmundry with only his motorcycle's blinker functioning, as the headlight was not working.

The investigation confirmed the presence of alcohol in Praveen's body through FSL reports. Police have registered cases against 11 individuals for spreading misinformation about the case and warned that strict action would be taken against those continuing to disseminate false information on social media.