Tirupati: In a shocking incident, Andhra Pradesh Police arrested five individuals for allegedly beheading a ram (male sheep) at a movie theatre in Tirupati before the screening of the movie Daaku Maharaj on January 12. The incident came to light after a complaint was lodged by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which was sent via email to the authorities.
The accused—Shankaraiah, Ramesh, Suresh Reddy, Prasad, and Mukesh Babu—reportedly sacrificed the ram and smeared its blood on a poster of actor N. Balakrishna, who starred in the movie and is also a popular Tollywood actor and Hindupur MLA. Balakrishna is the brother-in-law of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Tirupati East sub-divisional police officer Venkat Narayana confirmed that the police initiated an investigation based on PETA’s complaint and filed a case at Tirupati East Police Station. According to Narayana, the police are also looking for other individuals involved in the act. A disturbing video of the decapitation went viral, showing moviegoers cheering as the ram was beheaded with a sickle, while others filmed the gruesome act on their mobile phones.
The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on January 12, coinciding with the release of Daaku Maharaj, and was allegedly linked to Sankranti festival celebrations. The accused have been charged under various sections of the Andhra Pradesh Animal and Bird Sacrifices Provision Act, 1950, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the BNS Act. Despite the serious nature of the crime, all five individuals were granted bail shortly after their arrest, Narayana confirmed.
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