Cyberabad Police issued a clarification on Friday (August 21, 2026) after questions were raised on why Lingameneni Sanjush, son of a Andhra Pradesh Rajya Sabha member, was not arrested despite being named as an accused in connection with the death of a 26-year-old Inorbit Mall employee who fatally knocked down by an Aston Martin near Inorbit Mall on August 16. Sanjush (21) is the son of MP Lingameneni Ramesh.

Sanjush was identified by Madhapur police as the driver of the car that hit Bharati Mukhi, a sales associate at Lifestyle in Inorbit Mall, while she was crossing the road. A case was registered under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to causing death by a rash or negligent act.

In the clarification, Kukatpally Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ritiraj said the driver was apprehended immediately after the case was registered and subjected to preliminary tests for alcohol and drugs, which returned negative. His blood samples were subsequently collected and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for scientific examination.

Report awaited

The car was seized and sent for inspection by the Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI), whose report is awaited. Police said the report, along with other evidence, would be considered as part of the investigation.

The police said Section 106(1) BNS, which carries a maximum punishment of five years, was invoked based on the facts and circumstances available at the time. Since the alleged offence carries a punishment of less than seven years, the investigating officer was required to assess the necessity of arrest under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the principles laid down by the Supreme Court in Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar, as per the communication.

“On an objective assessment of the material then available, no circumstances warranting the arrest of the accused were found to exist,” DCP Ritiraj said. A notice under Section 35 BNSS was consequently served on Sanjush, directing him to appear and cooperate with the investigation.

According to the FIR, Bharati had gone with her colleague Pooja Ashok to the ITC Kohenur area to collect lunch at around 3 p.m. on August 16. While returning to the mall, she attempted to cross the road and was hit by the car, which police said was driven at high speed and in a rash and negligent manner.

Incorrect to allege that the accused was not arrested due to extraneous influence: Police

The police said it was incorrect to allege that the accused was not arrested due to extraneous influence. The decision was based on the statutory requirements governing arrest, the circumstances of the case and the evidence available at that stage, the DCP said.

The investigation is continuing, with the MVI report, forensic results and other relevant evidence awaited. The police said further action, including arrest if warranted by the material subsequently collected, would be taken in accordance with law.

Published - August 21, 2026 06:14 pm IST