Attempted assassination of N. Chandrababu Naidu
2003 bomb blast in Alipiri, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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The attempted assassination of N. Chandrababu Naidu or 2003 Alipiri Bomb Blast occurred on 1 October 2003 near Alipiri on the Tirumala ghat roads in Andhra Pradesh, India. Naidu, who was serving as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, survived the attack when a series of landmine explosions targeted his convoy during a visit to the Sri Venkateswara Temple. The attack was linked to the Naxalite–Maoist insurgency and is regarded as one of the most serious security incidents involving a sitting Indian chief minister.[1][2]
Alipiri, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
2:27 p.m.
| Attempted assassination of N. Chandrababu Naidu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | 13°38′49.46″N 79°24′21.3″E Alipiri, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Date | October 1, 2003 2:27 p.m. |
| Target | N. Chandrababu Naidu |
| Motive | Attempt to eliminate |
Background
In the early 2000s, Andhra Pradesh faced serious security issue due to the left-wing extremist groups, especially the People's War Group (PWG), a Maoist organisation. The group was involved in several violent incidents, including landmine attacks and killings of police officers and political leaders.[3]
As chief minister, Naidu adopted a strict approach against the PWG. His government extended the ban on the organisation and increased police and security organisations against it.[4][5]
At the time of the attack, Naidu was serving as chief minister and was travelling to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple to offer pattu vastralu (silk clothes) as part of a religious visit when his convoy was attacked.[6]
During the investigation, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) reported significant details about the planning of the attack. SIT chief D. T. Nayak stated that the PWG had spent approximately Rs. 12 lakh on what it referred to as the Alipiri Mission. According to the police, the attackers used around 200 kilograms of Noble Gel-90 explosive, which contained a nitroglycerine component, to prepare 17 claymore mines planted along the route. Investigators also recovered a floppy disk containing sketches and technical details related to the placement of the mines; the words Sri Sai Private Limited were written at the end of the files.[7][8]
Casualties and injuries
Although the attack involved a series of claymore mine explosions, there were no fatalities.
Naidu sustained injuries, including a fracture to his collarbone and other minor injuries but survived the assassination attempt.[9] Several others travelling in the convoy were also injured, including the then Andhra Pradesh minister Bojjala Gopala Krishna Reddy, Tirupati MLA Chadalawada Krishnamurthy and Puttur MLA R. Rajasekhar Reddy, the latter reportedly sustaining critical injuries.[10][11] A number of security personnel and convoy staff were also wounded by the blast and flying debris.
Investigation
In December 2003, the SIT identified a PWG action squad allegedly responsible for the attack. Those named included Takkelapalli Vasudeva Rao alias Ashanna, Patel Sudhakar Reddy alias Suryam, K. Madhavi and Dubashi Shankar, among others.[12] Some of the accused were also linked to other high-profile killings, including those of former Minister of Home Affairs of Andhra Pradesh, Alimineti Madhava Reddy and IPS officer C. Umesh Chandra.[13]
A commission of inquiry, headed by former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Prakash Singh, was subsequently constituted to examine alleged security lapses in the Z+ category protection for the chief minister. The commission reported deficiencies, including the failure to conduct adequate anti-sabotage checks along the route despite prior intelligence inputs indicating potential threats.[14][15]
Arrests and judgment
After the occurrence of the blast, SIT identified key accused including actions team members like Ramaswamy Reddy linked to the PWG group and many others dying over the years.[16]
On 29 October 2010, a Tirupati trial court in the first trial convicted four accused Ramaswamy Reddy (A1), Nagarjuna (A2), Panduranga Reddy alias Sagar (A30), and Kollam Gangi Reddy (A3), sentencing them to 7 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000.[17]
On appeal, the Tirupati fourth additional district and sessions court acquitted Sagar and Gangi Reddy on the prosecution failing to prove charges beyond reasonable doubt and no sufficient evidence of their role in the action team, while upholding the other convictions.[18]
On 26 September 2014, in the second trial, the Tirupati additional senior civil judge convicted three accused, G. Ramamohan Reddy (alias Teja), S. Narasimha Reddy (alias Rajasekhar), and P. Chandra alias Kesava sentencing them to 4 years rigorous punishment and Rs 500 fine each.[19]
On 16 December 2023, the Tirupati district court acquitted the three 2014 convicts on appeal, overturning the earlier convictions.[20]