Hyderabad: Arrested IAS officer, D. Venkateswara Rao, on Wednesday alleged maltreatment by police and claimed that he was threatened by officials during questioning. Rao, a deputy director of marketing with the Department of Agriculture, was arrested on Tuesday along with his 19-year-old son for the alleged murder of B. Nagaraj on March 17.

He was taken to hospital after he collapsed at a police station during interrogation. On Wednesday, speaking to the press from the hospital, Rao claimed that cops demanded “crores” to “settle the case” against him. He added that the interrogating officials did not even offer him water to drink. “I’m an IAS officer. I went to the police station with my son but they wrongfully detained me. They did not even offer a glass of water. I was not allowed to come out for two days. In between, mediators called, asking if I was ready to settle the case by paying money,” Rao said.

Cops from the West Zone however, dismissed the accusations saying Rao was just “cooking up false stories to earn sympathy.” They insisted that it was he who was threatening the police by using his authority. They added that he remained non-cooperative during questioning and had refused water or food. The case has progressed to involve more witnesses and CCTV footage. Officials say they can prove Rao’s involvement in the murder. It’s believed that Rao had driven his car to an apartment in the city with his younger son to help his elder son, D. Venkata Sukruth, to dispose of the body.

Cops said Sukruth fled after he was spotted by a neighbour carrying the body. Meanwhile, West Zone police produced him and his son Sukruth before a criminal court, which ordered 14 days’ judicial remand for both.

Rao to be suspended:

TS government is likely to suspend the IAS officer D. Venkates-wara Rao who was arrested in a murder case. Officials said a government employee including IAS held in police custody for more than 48 hours is liable to be placed under suspension unless he or she gets a bail before 48 hours. The state government will issue orders on Thursday on suspending the IAS officer.