Horrendous death of Pastor Praveen Pagadala

Suspicious Death of Pastor Praveen Pagadala Sparks Outrage and Calls for Investigation

Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh – The sudden and mysterious death of Pastor Praveen Pagadala in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district has triggered widespread protests and demands for a thorough investigation. The well-known evangelist, frequently seen on Calvary TV, was found lifeless by the roadside early Tuesday morning near Kondamuru, close to Rajahmundry.

Pastor Praveen had attended a church event in Kovvur on Monday night and was last seen leaving for Rajahmundry. CCTV footage from a toll gate in Kovvur confirmed that he was riding his Royal Enfield motorcycle while wearing a helmet. Hours later, his body was discovered under circumstances that have raised suspicions of foul play.

Mysterious Circumstances Raise Questions

Despite early suggestions of an accident, several inconsistencies have led to speculation that his death may have been a targeted killing:

• No signs of a crash were found at the scene.
• His motorcycle bore no damage, and his helmet remained intact.
• No skid marks or debris were present, contradicting the accident theory.
• Photographic and video evidence reveal defensive wounds on his hands, suggesting he attempted to shield his face from an attack.
• His hands and face appear to be bludgeoned, raising further suspicion of a violent assault rather than an accident.

Public Threats and Fear for His Life

Adding to the concerns, a Muslim man named Sami had recently openly threatened Pastor Praveen, demanding an apology within a week and warning of dire consequences if he failed to comply. The pastor, fearing for his life, had pleaded on social media for his safety and ultimately issued an apology, hoping to defuse the situation.

However, he also faced ongoing threats from Hindutva extremists, who had previously harassed and targeted him due to his Christian faith and missionary work. Even after his death, several Hindutva extremists have continued making hateful remarks on social media, raising suspicions that they too had a motive in this murder.

Despite these threats, no security was provided for Pastor Praveen. His sudden death after multiple threats from different groups has led many to demand a thorough investigation into all potential perpetrators.

Protests and Demands for Justice

Tensions escalated outside Rajahmundry Government Hospital, where his body was taken for autopsy. Relatives and Christian organizations staged protests, insisting that he was murdered and that the scene was staged to appear as an accident. They are demanding a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Prominent evangelist and Praja Shanti Party President K. A. Paul has called for an in-depth inquiry and has urged Andhra Pradesh’s Home Minister, Director General of Police, and Superintendent of Police to take immediate action along with several pastors and Christian leaders in both Telengana and Andhra States.

Investigation Underway

Authorities have launched an official investigation, but no conclusive findings have been announced. Meanwhile, activists and Christian leaders continue to push for justice, fearing that without external pressure, the case may not receive a fair and thorough probe.

Key Questions Authorities Must Answer

• Was Pastor Praveen’s death an accident or a planned murder?
• Why was no action taken against public threats made against him?
• Why does evidence suggest a violent assault rather than a crash?
• Will there be an independent inquiry to ensure justice?

As the investigation unfolds, the mystery surrounding Pastor Praveen Pagadala’s death continues to spark debate, with his supporters demanding answers and accountability.

We strongly condemn these incidents of violence, hate spread by extremists groups in India. We demand the government of India to take immediate action against those responsible for this heinous act and to promote peace and freedom of religion in India and not enable hate groups against Christians and Christianity.

We the Christian community call on the US Government to condemn these attrocities in India against Christians, as the violence escalates day by day we call on the US Govt to hold Indian Government accountable , to take lead and keep the extremist groups in check and even dismantle these groups, hate speech and promote unity.

This article was originally published on https://usicrm.org/news-call-for-action/f/horrendous-death-of-pastor-praveen-pagadala