Attended Funeral, Got NIA Notices – What’s This Row in Telangana?

New Delhi: The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) has strongly condemned the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Hyderabad branch, for issuing mass notices to more than ten activists, former student leaders, civil rights defenders, poets, writers, retired school teachers and local leaders associated with the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Congress in Telangana.

These notices have been issued under FIR No. RC-04/2025. The individuals are accused of participating in the funeral of CPI (Maoist) Central Committee member Ramachandra Reddy, who was allegedly killed in a fake encounter by security forces in Chhattisgarh last year. CASR has called it a clear attempt by the state to weaponise draconian laws to crush democratic voices and intimidate civil society.

The organisation has expressed serious concern over the arrest of social activist Innaiah Reddy under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Innaiah, associated with Bharat Bacchao Manch, has been running an orphanage for orphan children in Warangal for the last 15 years. Notices have also been sent to the managers of the ashram and to people who donated on humanitarian grounds. CASR says this is a deliberate move to stall noble social work and spread fear among common people.

CASR asked a straight question: “Has attending a funeral now become a crime?” The group argued that even if the deceased was linked to a banned organisation, participating in last rites or raising questions about a possible fake encounter cannot be treated as terrorist activity or conspiracy. It reminded that the Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the right to dignified last rites under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The statement further alleged that the notices are not just for attending the funeral but to target those who questioned the official version of the encounter killing and demanded accountability from security forces. Targeting former student leaders, poets, teachers and political activists is nothing but a strategy to suppress dissent, especially among Adivasi, Dalit and marginalised communities.

CASR made it clear: attending a funeral is not terrorism, questioning an encounter is not a crime, and demanding accountability is not sedition. This action only exposes the deep crisis of democracy in the country.

CASR has put forth four immediate demands: withdrawal of all notices issued in FIR No. RC-04/2025; immediate release of Innaiah Reddy and all others arrested under UAPA in the case; an independent judicial inquiry into the alleged fake encounter killing of Ramachandra Reddy in Chhattisgarh; and an end to the misuse of UAPA against civil society activists.

The statement was issued by the organising team of CASR, which includes several student, youth, civil rights and workers’ organisations.