Tension in Secunderabad as followers demand probe into gospel preacher Pagadala Praveen’s death

Hundreds of people from Christian community thronged the Centenary Baptist Church in Secunderabad on Thursday to pay their last respects to pastor Praveen Pagadala.
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

Tension gripped lanes around Secunderabad’s Clock Tower on Thursday as large crowds gathered to pay their last respects to gospel preacher Pagadala Praveen, whose body was kept at the Centenary Baptist Church.

Praveen, 45, had died under suspicious circumstances in Andhra Pradesh earlier this week, with the local police initially attributing his death to a road accident at Godavari Fourth Bridge in Konthamuru village, East Godavari district. However, his followers remained unconvinced, alleging foul play, and raised slogans throughout the day, demanding an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. The funeral procession began at 2.30 p.m. from the church and reached St. John the Baptist Protestant Cemetery near the Parade Ground by 4.30 p.m.

Hundreds of people from Christian community thronged the Centenary Baptist Church in Secunderabad on Thursday to pay their last respects to Pastor Praveen Pagadala.
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL

Hundreds of people from Christian community joined the last journey of the Praveen Pagadala from Centenary Baptist Church, near Clock Tower, Secunderabad. The family members had initially decided to conduct the burial at the CSI Cemetery at Trimulgherry. But, it is understood the place of burial was changed at the last minute and the mortal remains were taken in a flower decked hearse to the St. John’s The Baptist Cemetery near Parade Grounds.

Heavy police bandobust was made outside the Centenary Baptist Church in Secunderabad on Thursday as people turned up in large numbers to pay their last respects to pastor Praveen Pagadala.
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL

With hundreds converging near the church, traffic was severely affected in key areas between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Commuters heading towards Patny and Tank Bund from Karkhana and Marredpally were forced to take alternative, longer routes via Paradise and CTO Junction to avoid getting stuck in the congestion. The stretch from Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) to S.D. Road came to a standstill, as traffic police struggled to manoeuvre vehicles and maintain flow.

A group of Christian community members staged a protest outside the Centenary Baptist Church in Secunderabad on Thursday demanding thorough probe into the death of pastor Praveen Pagadala, who was found dead under suspicious circumstances on the outskirts of Rajahmundry two days ago.
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL

North Zone police of Hyderabad said that while there was sloganeering during the procession, it concluded within an hour.

To manage the swelling crowds, authorities imposed elaborate security arrangements, deploying additional personnel and setting up barricades near the church and surrounding areas. Despite police saying that Praveen’s death was an accident, his followers continue to push for a detailed probe. With tensions running high, officials remain on alert for any further disruptions in the coming days.