Police register case after truckers' body reports driver missing
Visakhapatnam — Malakapuram police have registered a case and launched an inquiry into the alleged assault and disappearance of a lorry driver from Madhya Pradesh, following a complaint by the New Andhra Motor Truckers Association, officials said on Tuesday.
The association's General Secretary, Seshagiri Rao, lodged the complaint at Malakapuram Police Station on behalf of the group's Secretary in Vijayawada, reporting that driver Bhairav Lal Sahu had gone missing two days earlier after some persons boarded his lorry and assaulted him.
"At about 10.30 AM, the Secretary of the New Andhra Motor Truckers Association, Vijayawada, lodged a complaint at Malakapuram Police Station regarding the disappearance of a lorry driver, Bhairav Lal Sahu, two days ago. He alleged that some persons beat him after boarding the lorry. In this instance, we registered a case and are investigating," said Malakapuram Circle Inspector Narasimha Rao.
Police said they had recorded the complaint at around 10:30 am and were probing the circumstances surrounding the driver's disappearance and the alleged assault. No arrests or recoveries have been reported so far.
What authorities have recorded
- Complaint filed by New Andhra Motor Truckers Association through its Vijayawada office.
- Victim identified as Bhairav Lal Sahu, a lorry driver from Madhya Pradesh.
- Malakapuram Police Station registered a case and initiated an inquiry; details of alleged assailants have not been released.
Police spokespersons did not give further particulars about the lorry's route, the vehicle owner, or the identities of the persons said to have boarded the vehicle. Investigating officers are expected to examine mobile-phone records, vehicle movement details and any available CCTV footage as part of routine probe steps.
| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Complainant | New Andhra Motor Truckers Association (Vijayawada) |
| Victim | Bhairav Lal Sahu (from Madhya Pradesh) |
| Police station | Malakapuram Police Station, Visakhapatnam |
| Complaint logged | About 10:30 am (reported) |
| Status | Case registered; investigation ongoing |
Context and community response
The complaint was taken up after the truckers' association raised concern about the safety of drivers operating on inter‑state routes. Associations representing commercial vehicle operators commonly seek police assistance in matters involving assaults, theft or missing drivers, citing the vulnerability of drivers during long hauls.
Investigators have not yet publicly confirmed the alleged motive, whether any valuables or cargo were taken, or whether the vehicle has been located. The police are expected to coordinate with other districts and, if necessary, with authorities in the driver’s home state, as the probe proceeds.
In a separate matter reported alongside the trucking complaint, a three-member committee has been constituted to investigate the death of a six-year-old student in Visakhapatnam on August 21, which authorities say followed an alleged beating by a school teacher. Telugu Desam Party State President Palla Srinivasa Rao expressed condolences and said the family would receive support; he also said the matter had been brought to the attention of Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh. The committee's inquiry is expected to run concurrently with the police probe into the student's death.
Malakapuram police appealed to anyone with information about Bhairav Lal Sahu or the incident to come forward and assist the investigation. Further updates will be issued as the probe develops.
