Tension in Secunderabad as followers demand probe into gospel preacher Pagadala Praveen’s death

Tension rises in Secunderabad as crowds gather to pay last respect to gospel preacher Pagadala Praveen amid suspicions of foul play.

Tension gripped lanes around Secunderabad’s Clock Tower on Thursday (March 27, 2025) as large crowds gathered to pay their last respects to gospel preacher Pagadala Praveen, whose body was kept at the Centenary Baptist Church.

Praveen, 45, had died under suspicious circumstances in Andhra Pradesh earlier this week, with the local police initially attributing his death to a road accident at Godavari Fourth Bridge in Konthamuru village, East Godavari district. However, his followers remain unconvinced, alleging foul play and raising slogans throughout the day, demanding an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

With hundreds converging near the Church, traffic was severely affected in key areas between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Commuters heading towards Patny and Tank Bund from Karkhana and Marredpally were forced to take alternative, longer routes via Paradise and CTO Junction to avoid getting stuck in the congestion. The stretch from Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) to S.D. Road came to a standstill, as traffic police struggled to maneuver vehicles and maintain flow.

To manage the swelling crowds, authorities imposed elaborate security arrangements, deploying additional personnel and setting up barricades near the Church and surrounding areas. Despite police assurances that Praveen’s death was an accident, his followers continue to push for a deeper probe. With tensions running high, officials remain on alert for any further disruptions in the coming days.