Just as everyone, Bollywood too woke up to the news of Hyderabad’s police’s act of shooting the four men accused of raping and then burning the vet-doctor Priyanka Reddy alive in Telangana. The encounter had a mixed reaction from the people as some felt that Justice is served where others think that this is not how we needed truth to be served.
The incident took place on 27th November 2019, where a 26-year-old, veterinarian was abducted, raped, smothered and burnt alive by four men. The doctor’s vehicle was punctured on the highway and the men lured the doctor by consoling her that they are just there to help her. So the news of the accused men being shot by the police was taken as an over-whelming step. The slogans were chanted to appreciate the Hyderabad police. The police personnel was welcomed by people with the flower shower, while people on the other parts of the country were seen celebrating on the action taken.
The encounter of the men took place around 6:30 am on 6th December 2019, when the accused, lorry workers aged between 20-24 years of age were taken to the crime scene by the police to enact the crime they committed a few days ago near Hyderabad. The reconstruction of the crime scene was done for the police to understand the crime details that would help them in their investigation.
According to a senior official, the accused men snatched weapons from police and fired on police and tried to escape. The Hyderabad encounter was an act of retaliation by police. Two policemen were also injured.
Every citizen of India was filled with rage, anger, and so many emotions that they just needed the crimes against women to stop. Bollywood celebrities urged for the same. When the news of the accused being encountered by the police at the same spot surfaced on the morning of 6th December 2019, the celebrities took their social media to share their views on the same.
Celebrities like Vivek Oberoi, Dino Morea, Anupam Kher, Rishi Kapoor, Nagarjuna, Esha Gupta, Vishal Dadlani, etc. took their twitter accounts to share how Justice was served or not. Some of their tweets read:
Rishi Kapoor
“Bravo Telangana Police. My congratulations!”
Dino Morea
“Justice has been served, and served well.”
Anupam Kher tweeted by applauding the Hyderabad police for taking the bold step.
“Congratulations and #JaiHo to #TelenganaPolice for shooting down the four rapists of #PriyankaReddy in an “ENCOUNTER”. चलो! अब जितने भी लोगों ने ऐसा घिनोना अपराध करने वालों के ख़िलाफ़ आवाज़ उठाई थी और उनके लिए ख़तरनाक से ख़तरनाक सज़ा चाही थी, मेरे साथ ज़ोर से बोलो – #जयहो।
Ranvir Shorey did not seem to be happy about the decision.
“Perversion of the justice system cannot be the answer to dealing with perverts in society. Fixing the justice system is.”
Vivek Oberoi also tweeted praising the bold step taken by the police at the crime scene.
“Kudos to @TelanganaCMO and the @cyberabadpolice especially #VCSajjanar for delivering true Justice swiftly and strongly! This sends a strong message to those monsters who break the law and hide behind the system. I am sure all such monsters are shaking with fear now! @cpcybd”
Nagarjuna Akkineni seems to be happy with the decision taken.
“This morning I wake up to the news and JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED!! #Encounter”
The four accused Mohammed, Jollu Shiva, Jolu Naveen, and Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu were arrested on the charges of brutally raping and burning the veterinarian from Hyderabad. The victim is being addressed as “Disha” now, like the 2012 rape case where the victim was addressed and is still remembered as Nirbhaya (the fearless). The heinous crime reminded everyone of the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and sparked a lot of outrage across the country.
Swara Bhaskar pinned a tweet that says to assume her dead if she is not part of a Twitter controversy once a week, did not say anything. Instead, she just retweeted.
Vishal Dadlani who also took his account to share his views on the hyderabad encounter was very happy with the decision. He went onto slam the people for applauding the act as an act of Justice for the girl. He tweeted, “We live in a time where the absolute failure of the justice system is hailed as ‘justice’. Just so you know, cops killing people without a trial can land at your door too, someday.”
Dr. Disha’s father reacted to the news of encounter, saying, “I express my gratitude toward the police and the government for this. My daughter’s soul must be at peace now.” 2012 Delhi Gangrape victim Nirbhaya’s mother also reacted to the incident that took place on 6th December 2019 of the accused getting shot by the police. The mother who lost her only daughter said that she was happy about the development.
The issue of recent incidents of rape in the country was raised in Parliament. The fire was added when a 23-year-old victim on the Unnao case was burnt alive while she was heading to the court. Political leaders from across the parties including Bollywood actress Jaya Bachchan have raised their voice against the same. They have demanded a strict law and punishment against the crime of women.
What is your take on the action taken by the police?