Christian bodies concerned over ‘suspicious death’ of pastor, advocate

Christian community leaders at a press expressing concern at the murder of pastor Praveen Pagadala and advocate Israel.

Christian bodies have expressed serious concern at the suspicious death of pastor Praveen Pagadala on the outskirts of Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh and the murder of an advocate, Israel, in the city.

At a press conference here on Wednesday, former Telangana Foods chairman M. Rajeev Sagar, Prof Gali Vinod Kumar and Telangana Christian JAC chairman Solomon Raj pointed out how the suspicious death of pastor Praveen Pagadala is being projected as an accident.

Pastor Praveen was found dead with bleeding injuries next to his motorcycle on the outskirts of Rajahmundry, Mr. Sagar said alleging that the Andhra Pradesh police had not filed a case till late Monday night even though the body was recovered in the morning.

Stating that pastor Praveen had received threats from different sections in the last few months, Mr. Sagar said the injuries on his body pointed to suspicious death, and not accident.

The leaders also condemned the killing of advocate Israel. The leaders said minority Christian community is under threat because of such incidents, and demanded the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments to take steps to protect the interests of the community.

They demanded a detailed probe into both the incidents.