The United Christian Churches of Tirupati organised a candlelight vigil on Sunday, 30 March, at Tirupati West Church, mourning the suspicious death of Pastor Praveen Pagadala.
Pastor Arul Arasu expressed sorrow, stating that the Christian community has lost an irreplaceable leader. He urged the government to expedite the investigation and address public concerns regarding the circumstances of Pastor Praveen’s death, which occurred on 25 March.
The vigil highlights growing concerns as Andhra Pradesh authorities continue investigating the death of 46-year-old Pagadala, a renowned Christian evangelist found along a roadside near Rajahmundry. Initially reported as a road accident, mounting evidence prompted Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to order a comprehensive probe.
Eluru Range Inspector General of Police GVG Ashok Kumar stated that police await complete investigation reports before determining the cause of death. “How can we conclude without getting the final post-mortem report? A forensic report has to come,” Kumar said during a press conference on March 29.
A preliminary post-mortem confirmed abrasive injuries on the pastor’s hands and body, along with lacerated injuries on the face. A burn wound found on Pagadala’s leg has been sent for pathology examination.
A special investigation team formed under East Godavari district Superintendent of Police Narasimha Kishore is analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage. Chief Minister Naidu monitors the case daily.
SP Kishore stated that police traced Pagadala’s final journey through CCTV footage from 13 locations. Pagadala departed from Hyderabad around 11 am on 24 March, reached Konthamuru petrol bunk around 11.30 pm, and was later found collapsed near Nayara petrol bunk at approximately 11.42 pm.
A Joint Action Committee (JAC) has formed to seek justice for Pagadala, calling for the release of CCTV footage and the post-mortem report. The committee, headed by Edward Samuel, NGOs Network Chairman at the All India Federation of Mother Teresa’s Social Organisations, demands a thorough investigation.
Madiga political leader Kiran Kumar raised doubts over the official narrative, pointing to discrepancies in the CCTV footage. “The personality of the person seen in the footage does not match Praveen. His helmet was already broken in the video, which raises further suspicions,” he said.
Kaveti International Law Firm has announced it will take up the case on a pro bono basis. Dr. Kaveti Srinivas Rao stated that petitions will be filed in the High Courts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, as well as the United Nations Human Rights Council.
“Footage from the crime scene has raised several inconsistencies that have fuelled suspicions of foul play. Despite his helmet remaining intact, the only visible injury was on the left side of his face. No skid marks were found at the scene,” said Mr. Srinivas.
Catholic leader Leo Lewis claimed while speaking with the media that Pagadala had received threats to his life. Pastor Karunanidhi Indupalli, secretary of the Federation of Telugu Churches, suggested Pagadala was targeted due to his defence of Christian faith-related matters. “That’s why there is a reasonable ground to believe he was murdered,” Indupalli told reporters.
The International Christian Rescue Mission has urged the American government to intervene and press India to ensure the protection of Christian minorities.
State home minister V. Anita has asked people “not to politicise” the case, while IGP Kumar appealed to people to approach authorities with any evidence, promising a transparent investigation.
