Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Bheemgal Tea Stall Owner Dies After Setting Himself Ablaze
Sudhakar owned a tea stall in Bheemgal.
On Monday, he set himself on fire at or near the police station and was badly hurt.
He died in a hospital on Tuesday.
His family and some local people said a police officer had repeatedly fined or harassed him.
Police said one case was because his stall was open late at night.
Police also said two journalists may have threatened him after a grocery shop owner sent them.
People protested and held a town-wide shutdown to seek justice for his family.
Police said they were investigating, while the police commissioner said the department was not responsible.
Polasa Sudhakar, a tea stall owner near Bheemgal bus stand, set himself on fire at or within Bheemgal Police Station on Monday morning.
He suffered burns to about 90 per cent of his body and died while receiving treatment at Government General Hospital in Nizamabad on Tuesday.
His family and protesters alleged repeated fines and harassment by a police Sub-Inspector; a video attributed to Sudhakar also reportedly blamed local police.
Police said a petty case concerned keeping the stall open late at night and cited preliminary claims that two journalists threatened Sudhakar at a grocery shop owner's request.
A bandh and protests followed; police said they registered a case and were investigating, while the Nizamabad Police Commissioner said police were not at fault.
- Who
- Polasa Sudhakar, a tea stall owner; his family, police, local protesters, and political figures were also involved.
- What
- Sudhakar set himself on fire, suffered severe burns, and died while receiving hospital treatment.
- When
- He set himself on fire on Monday morning and died on Tuesday; the PTI report is dated October 5.
- Where
- Bheemgal Police Station in Nizamabad district, Telangana, and Government General Hospital in Nizamabad.
- Why
- His family alleged police harassment and repeated fines. Police cited a late-night shop case and preliminary claims of threats by two journalists; the circumstances were under investigation.
Family and protesters
Police account
Police conduct
Family and protesters
Sudhakar's family and protesters alleged repeated harassment and fines by a Sub-Inspector and sought an inquiry or action.
Police account
Police said the petty case concerned the stall operating late at night; Police Commissioner P. Sai Chaitanya said police had no connection with the incident and were not at fault.
Possible circumstances
Family and protesters
Family members linked Sudhakar's act to alleged police harassment, and a video attributed to him reportedly blamed local police.
Police account
Police cited preliminary claims that two journalists threatened Sudhakar at a grocery shop owner's request. They said the circumstances were being investigated.
- Victim
- Polasa Sudhakar, a tea stall owner near Bheemgal bus stand; reports give his age as 55 and 58.
- Incident
- He poured petrol on himself and set himself on fire at or within Bheemgal Police Station on Monday morning.
- Injuries and outcome
- Reports said he suffered around 90 per cent burns; he died on Tuesday while being treated at Government General Hospital in Nizamabad.
- Family's allegations
- His family alleged that a Sub-Inspector repeatedly fined or harassed him; one report said the shop had been fined three times.
- Police account of case
- Police said they registered a petty case after finding the stall open beyond 10.30 pm and told Sudhakar to pay the fine in court.
- Reported threats
- Police cited preliminary information that a grocery shop owner sent two journalists to threaten Sudhakar after he stopped buying goods from the shop.
- Protests and response
- A bandh and protests took place; protesters sought action against the Sub-Inspector. Police said they registered a case and were investigating.
