Telangana woman MLA, aides attack toll gate staff

HYDERABAD: A woman legislator of Telangana`s ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), her husband and their aides attacked the employees of a toll gate in Karimnagar district on Tuesday, allegedly for not giving her VIP treatment.

Bodiga Sobha, a member of Telangana assembly, got impatient when her vehicle had to wait behind other vehicles at the toll gate at Renikunta.

According to eyewitnesses, she entered into an argument with one of the employees and when the latter said he was helpless, she got down from vehicle and raised her hand on him. Her husband Galanna allegedly used foul language while one of her body guards thrashed the employee.

They also chased another employee and snatched his mobile phone as he was making a video recording of the incident.

The incident occurred when the legislator, who represents Choppadandi constituency in Karimnagar district, could not pass through the lane meant for VIPs as a vehicle broke down blocking the way. Her vehicle was directed to another lane meant for general public and it had to wait in the queue.

The TRS leader defended her action and alleged that the toll plaza staff insulted her by questioning why they should give her VIP treatment. Dismissing as a "minor" incident, she said the staffer used bad language against her and they had to control him.

Police said no case was registered as the toll gate staff did not lodge any complaint.

However, on being alerted by the toll plaza staff, a police officer reached the spot and examined the CCTV footage.