A high-profile undertrial prisoner, identified as Battula Prabhakar (35) – also known by aliases Krishnaiah, Bittu, and Rahul Reddy – has made a sensational escape from police custody. Prabhakar, a habitual offender, is allegedly involved in a staggering 80 robberies and burglaries spread across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
The dramatic incident unfolded as Prabhakar was being escorted back to Rajamahendravaram Central Prison following a court hearing in Vijayawada. Originally from Vaddapalli in Chittoor district, he was arrested earlier this year by the Central Crime Station (CCS) in connection with a robbery case filed with the Patamata police.
According to police sources, the NTR Commissionerate police had assigned five Armed Reserve (AR) personnel to transport three prisoners, including Prabhakar and two individuals accused of ganja offenses, from Rajamahendravaram Central Prison to Vijayawada for their court appearance. The escape occurred during their return journey.
While the police vehicle was passing through Duddukuru village near Devarapalli in East Godavari district, Prabhakar requested to stop the vehicle to attend nature’s call. Taking advantage of this, the escorting officers unlocked his handcuffs. Seizing the opportunity, Prabhakar swiftly jumped into the nearby fields and vanished into the darkness.
In response to the brazen escape, the NTR Commissionerate police have promptly formed three special teams, operating under the vigilant supervision of AR Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police K. Koteswara Rao. Police Commissioner S.V. Rajashekara Babu confirmed that two AR head constables, K.J. Shadrak and K. Sugunakar Rao, who were responsible for Prabhakar’s escort, have been suspended for dereliction of duty.
Meanwhile, the East Godavari district police have mobilized an extensive search operation, deploying 15 teams to track down the fugitive. A dedicated team has also been dispatched to Hyderabad. Eluru Range Inspector General of Police (IGP) G.V.G. Ashok Kumar stated that despite being handcuffed, the accused managed to flee. Police in Telangana and other neighboring states have been alerted.
A senior police officer revealed that approximately 100 police personnel, including an ADCP, a DSP, 10 CIs, and 15 SIs, are actively involved in the relentless search for Prabhakar.
Cash Reward Announced
In an effort to expedite his capture, authorities have announced a cash reward of ₹50,000 for anyone who provides information leading to Prabhakar’s arrest or assists the police in nabbing him. Members of the public with any details regarding Prabhakar’s whereabouts are urged to contact the Devarapalli Circle Inspector or the SI.
Prabhakar’s criminal history includes a previous incident in February this year where he opened fire with a country-made pistol on police officers attempting to apprehend him at a pub in Gachibowli, Hyderabad. During that encounter, Venkat Reddy, a head constable from the Madhapur Central Crime Station, sustained bullet injuries. Police later recovered two additional country-made weapons, reportedly sourced from Bihar, from Prabhakar’s residence.
This is not Prabhakar’s first escape. In 2022, while in the custody of Visakhapatnam police for a theft case, he managed to flee while being transported from a court to jail.
Another police officer involved in a previous arrest of Prabhakar indicated that he maintains connections with weapon smugglers across different states and typically targets engineering colleges and hospitals for his robbery sprees. The CCS police had brought Prabhakar to Vijayawada in March under a Prisoner Transit (PT) warrant from Hyderabad, related to a theft case.
IGP G.V.G. Ashok Kumar confirmed that law enforcement is currently scrutinizing CCTV footage and has intensified vigilance at all major bus and railway stations, as well as along highways, to prevent Prabhakar from escaping further afield.