Nine Years After Nerella: Congress Leaders Assure Justice as Victims Renew Fight for Accountability, Rehabilitation and Dignity
Hyderabad, May 30:
Nearly nine years after the 2017 Nerella custodial torture case shocked Telangana and drew national attention over allegations of police excesses and human rights violations, the victims continue to wait for justice, accountability, rehabilitation, and closure.
In a significant political and legal development, senior Congress leaders Aadi Srinivas, Government Whip and Vemulawada MLA, and Adluri Laxman Kumar, Chairman of the Telangana State Scheduled Castes Cooperative Development Corporation and Dharmapuri MLA, have assured the victims that their long-pending grievances will be taken up with the State Government and brought to the attention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister for appropriate action.
A delegation of Nerella victims, including Kola Harish and Banaya, met the leaders in Hyderabad and submitted detailed representations seeking justice, rehabilitation, compensation, government employment, educational support, agricultural harvesting machinery, livelihood assistance, and effective implementation of welfare measures.
The delegation was led by Shashank Pasupuleti, State Coordinator, TPCC Legal Cell, along with Dinesh Marati, Hyderabad Convenor of the TPCC Legal Cell and counsel associated with the case. Advocate Israel Yadav, Sai Reddy (General Secretary, Ranga Reddy District Youth Congress), Bharath Batti, and Mandeep Marati also participated in the meeting and jointly submitted the memorandum on behalf of the victims.
After hearing the representations, both leaders assured the victims that the matter would be pursued at the highest level and that all efforts would be made to secure a fair, comprehensive, and timely resolution.
A Case That Became a Symbol of Custodial Violence
The Nerella incident dates back to July 2017 when several youths from Nerella and surrounding villages in Rajanna Sircilla district were detained following protests linked to sand transportation issues. Serious allegations later emerged that the detainees were subjected to custodial torture and inhuman treatment while in police custody.
The allegations triggered statewide outrage and attracted the attention of civil liberties organizations, human rights groups, legal experts, political parties, and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC).
Subsequent inquiries reportedly found evidence suggesting that detainees had been physically assaulted during interrogation. However, victims and rights activists have consistently argued that complete accountability has remained elusive and that several recommendations and assurances have yet to be fully implemented.
The matter continues before the Telangana High Court through W.P. (PIL) No. 204 of 2017 and W.P. (PIL) No. 211 of 2017. Over the years, the Court has examined issues relating to investigation progress, medical evidence, accountability of officials, and the status of legal proceedings.
Unanswered Questions After Nine Years
Despite the passage of nearly a decade, the victims continue to raise concerns regarding delays in legal proceedings, implementation of inquiry findings, rehabilitation measures, and accountability of those responsible.
Among the key demands being pursued are:
• Justice and accountability
• Government employment for eligible family members
• Compensation and financial rehabilitation
• Agricultural harvesting machinery and livelihood support
• Educational assistance for affected families
• Long-term welfare and rehabilitation measures
Victims maintain that justice must extend beyond court proceedings and include meaningful rehabilitation that allows affected families to rebuild their lives with dignity.
TPCC Legal Cell Extends Full Support
The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Legal Cell has extended full support to the victims and has been actively coordinating legal efforts relating to the matter.
Shashank Pasupuleti, State Coordinator, TPCC Legal Cell, stated:
“Nine years have passed, but the victims are still waiting for justice. The Nerella case is not just about custodial torture; it is about accountability, human dignity, constitutional rights, and faith in the justice delivery system. Justice cannot remain pending indefinitely while victims and their families continue to suffer.
The affected families deserve accountability, rehabilitation, livelihood support, government assistance, and a fair conclusion to the legal process. The TPCC Legal Cell will continue to stand firmly with the victims. Human rights activists, legal professionals, and responsible journalists also have a duty to ensure that such voices are not forgotten and that the pursuit of justice remains alive. We will continue to pursue every available legal and constitutional remedy until justice is not only promised but delivered.”
Dinesh Marati, Hyderabad Convenor of the TPCC Legal Cell and counsel associated with the matter, stated that the Nerella case represents a larger test of constitutional governance, accountability, and protection of citizens’ rights. He reaffirmed the commitment of the legal team to continue supporting the victims in their pursuit of justice and rehabilitation.
Renewed Hope for the Victims
The victims expressed gratitude to Aadi Srinivas, Adluri Laxman Kumar, and the TPCC Legal Cell for taking up their cause and giving renewed hope to families who have spent nearly nine years seeking justice.
The legal support team comprising Dinesh Marati, Advocate Israel Yadav, Sai Reddy, Bharath Batti, and Mandeep Marati reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the voices of the victims continue to be heard before appropriate legal and governmental forums.
As the legal proceedings continue and fresh political attention is drawn to the matter, the intervention of senior Congress leadership and the active involvement of the TPCC Legal Cell have renewed hopes among the victims that long-pending demands for justice, rehabilitation, accountability, and dignity may finally move toward resolution.
For the families of Nerella, the issue is no longer merely about an incident that occurred in 2017. It has become a struggle for constitutional justice, human dignity, and the right to live with respect and security.
Nearly nine years later, their question remains unchanged:
How much longer must justice wait?
