Hyderabad, April 22: Another unenlightening instance of abuse of power by a public representative was witnessed today when a corporator of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) allegedly slapped and kicked an assistant engineer of the AP Central Power Distribution Company Limited (APCPDCL) at Jeedimetla today.
Jeedimetla TDP corporator K M Gowrish showed up near the GHMC office at Qutbullapur where power utilities staff were restoring snapped wires. He picked an argument with them over frequent interruptions in supply and in a fit of rage, slapped and kicked the assistant engineer. The corporator was apparently called by locals who had complained of a restless night.
The power utilities personnel had been on the job since morning. Gowrish reportedly tried to contact the assistant engineer over phone but the latter could not take the call as he was obviously busy.
The miffed corporator came to the site of the repairs around 4:00 p.m.
and began railing at the team in abusive language.
When assistant engineer Lakshmi Narayana objected to this, “a heated argument ensued and in a fit of rage, Gowrish allegedly slapped the engineer,’’ Jeedimetla police sub-inspector M Srinivas said.
The incident sparked protests by the power utilities staff who demanded an apology from the corporator and also his arrest. Lakshmi Narayana later lodged a complaint with the Jeedimetla police who registered a case under Section 353 (Criminal Force to Deter a Public Servant from Discharging his Duty) against the corporator.
Gowrish is yet to be arrested.
–Agencies