Vijayawada, July 28: 70-year-old Tathireddy Lachi Reddy in Andhra Pradesh's Gannavaram village is tired of living in a country which has turned "selfish" and full of "public apathy". His disillusionment drove him to prepare for Sajeeva Samidhi (live burial).

Over the past couple of days, Reddy has been digging a five-foot grave, cementing it from beneath. He also kept stones and cement outside which were to be used for covering the grave once entered inside for the "final sleep".

When personnel of the nearest Macherla rural police station were informed, a team of inspector Dileep Kumar and sub-inspector Lokeshwar Rao reached the spot and convinced the septuagenarian to refrain from ending his life.

While speaking to reporters, Rao said they had to "thoroughly counsel" Reddy to give up his plan to be buried alive. The police said Rao was convinced after they told him that he would be committing a crime as per the Indian Penal Code if he commits suicide.

Meanwhile, Reddy on being questioned by the local media over his bizarre plans, said he was forced to commit suicide as there is "no hope for justice either in Andhra Pradesh or anywhere else in the nation". He further added that it was against his principles to live in a country which is "full of sinners".

Reddy owns nearly 10 crores of land in Gannavaram village, falling under Guntur district. He has two sons and a wife, but Reddy does not live with them. According to his second son, Ramakrishna Reddy, his father took hiatus from public life nearly 10 years ago and became increasingly spiritual.

He used to live in a single-room hutment located in the fields, where his family used to arrange for the daily meal, the police said.

Reddy's son claim his father was inspired by the writings of Potuluri Veera Brahmendra Swamy, a ninth-century Hindu sage and oracle.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 28, 2018 12:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).