Raptadu Police Firing Case Reaches Andhra Pradesh High Court

The police firing on Hemanth, accused of attacking a Class 10 girl at a government school in Raptadu, has reached the Andhra Pradesh High Court. A group of lawyers has sought an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The lawyers reportedly filed a petition on Monday, November 2, requesting an urgent hearing. The High Court agreed to take up the matter on Tuesday, November 3.

In their petition, the lawyers sought directions to preserve video footage, CCTV recordings, medical reports and forensic evidence related to the police operation.

They also requested that Hemanth’s statement be recorded before a magistrate and that the statement and video recording be submitted to the High Court in a sealed cover.

The Andhra Pradesh government, Director General of Police, district collector and other officials have been named as respondents in the petition.

Hemanth was injured in police firing during an operation in the Atmakur forest area of Anantapur district on Sunday. According to police, he allegedly threw stones and attempted to attack officers with a knife while resisting arrest.

Anantapur Superintendent of Police P. Jagadeesh said officers opened fire after the accused allegedly attacked the police team. Hemanth sustained bullet injuries to his legs and was shifted to Anantapur Government General Hospital for treatment.

The incident followed the October 31 attack at Raptadu Zilla Parishad High School, where a Class 10 girl suffered serious injuries after being assaulted with an electric saw. Another student who attempted to intervene was also injured.

The seriously injured girl was subsequently shifted to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru for advanced treatment.

The High Court petition seeks an independent examination of whether the police firing was justified and whether the operation followed the required legal procedures. No judicial finding on the legality of the shooting has been reported so far.