Accused Held in Tangutur Murder Case

Nellore:Prakasam district police have solved the Tangutur murder case within days and arrested the accused. The murder occurred around 1.00 am on December 16 under Tangutur police station limits.

The accused, Tata Edukondalu 29, allegedly killed Yanamanamanda Venkata Ramanaiah, 55, at the latter’s residence over a financial dispute of `7,000. Police said the accused attacked the victim with a hammer, axe and knife, killing him, and fled after stealing a gold ring weighing about 5.9 gm.

Special teams formed under the supervision of Ongole DSP Rayapati Srinivasa Rao, with Singarayakonda CI Ch. Hazaratthayya, used technical evidence, dog squad and clue teams and arrested him on December 21 near NH-16 at Vavilletipadu crossroads while travelling from Chennai towards Ongole.

SP V. Harshavardhan Raju commended the investigating officers and staff for swiftly cracking the case.

ACB catches red-handed sub-treasury official taking bribe

Anantapur:Kurnool ACB sleuths on Monday caught a senior accountant of the sub-treasury office at Dhone in Nandyal district red handed while accepting a bribe from a retired employee to clear the latter’s file related to pension.

Sources said J. Syam Raj, an official who had retired from the Dhone municipality in June this year, had applied for his pension benefits. The pension proposal got cleared by the audit office in Nandyala on October 14.

Thereafter, the file reached the District Treasury Office, Nandyala, which, in turn, forwarded it to the Sub-Treasury Office, Dhone.

When his file remained pending, Syam Raj approached Ramavath Laxman Naik, senior accountant, who demanded ₹45,000 for clearing the file. On persuasion, Naik reduced his demand to ₹30,000.

However, Syam Raj lodged a complaint with the ACB in Kurnool, whose officials laid a trap on Monday and caught Naik red-handed while taking the bribe in the sub-treasury office premises.

Naik has been arrested and shifted to Kurnool for being presented before a court.

RDO Restores Land to Elderly Mother After Son Sold It Using Fake Death Certificate

Nellore:In a rare case highlighting revenue fraud, the Ongole Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) delivered justice to an 83-year-old woman whose son illegally sold her agricultural land by falsely declaring her dead.

The victim, Vippala Ramadevi of Kommawaram village in Mundlamuru mandal, Prakasam district, has two daughters and a son. Neglected by her family, she has been living in an old-age home in Guntur. In 1995, Ramadevi received 1.96 acres of agricultural land in Survey No.155/1 of her native village through a registered settlement deed from her husband. The land was duly recorded in her name in the Webland revenue records.

However, her son Venugopal Reddy allegedly colluded with revenue officials and fraudulently obtained a death certificate declaring his mother deceased. Using this false document, he got the land transferred to his name and later sold it in 2024 to a person named Somu Chinnanagi Reddy.

Ramadevi recently approached Ongole RDO Lakshmi Prasanna with a complaint. After issuing notices and conducting an inquiry, the RDO found that both parties admitted the facts. The RDO ordered the Darsi sub-registrar to cancel the sale deed and directed that Ramadevi’s name be restored in the Webland records.

Invoking the Senior Citizens Act, the RDO also ordered the son to pay `15,000 per month towards his mother’s maintenance. Further, instructions were issued to initiate action against the tahsildar, VRAs and other revenue officials who allegedly facilitated the illegal land transfer and issued a death certificate despite Ramadevi being alive.

8 fishermen suffer food poisoning after eating biryani

Kakinada:Eight fishermen from U. Kothapalli fell ill due to suspected food poisoning after consuming biryani at a roadside eatery in Bhyaravapalem village of Tallarevu mandal in Kakinada district.

According to officials, the fishermen developed vomiting and loose motions one after another on Sunday night. They were initially rushed to a local Primary Health Centre and later shifted to the Government Hospital at Pithapuram for further treatment.

Medical officials said the condition of all the affected fishermen is stable and they are responding well to treatment.

Integrity crucial value in police service: Eagle chief

Vijayawada:AP Eagle chief and Inspector General of Police A.K. Ravikrishna on Monday said integrity is the most crucial value in police service while addressing 155 newly selected APSP constables at the inauguration of their induction training programme at the 6th Battalion in Mangalagiri.

Calling the day of joining government service a moment of pride for both the recruits and their families, the IGP recalled his own early days in the force. He said training lays the foundation for an entire police career and urged the trainees to keep themselves updated with rapidly evolving digital platforms.

Highlighting the humane role played by constables, Ravikrishna cited an instance where a constable handled a mutilated accident victim’s body, earning the gratitude of the family. He cautioned against complacency, noting that even minor lapses could bring disrepute to the entire department.

6th Battalion Commandant and AP Eagle SP K. Nagesh Babu said joining the police force carries both honour and responsibility, and advised trainees to maintain physical fitness, mental strength and awareness of emerging challenges such as cybercrime.

Anantapur medico selected for south Indian TT Championships

Anantapur:U.S. Aarush Srivatsa, a medical student of Government Medical College, Anantapur, has been selected to participate in the South Indian Inter-University Table Tennis Championships to be held from December 25 to 28 at AMET University, Chennai.

The student will represent Dr NTR University of Health Sciences after securing second place in the university-level selection trials.

Government Medical College Principal Dr M. Vijayashree congratulated Aarush Srivatsa and said it was a matter of pride for the institution. She noted that the selection was based on the players’ excellent performance and outstanding skills. Physical director M. Narasimha Naik said the college provides strong encouragement and facilities for students to excel not only in academics but also in sports, leading to notable achievements by medical students.

Focus on skills to meet modern challenges: DIG

Visakhapatnam:Visakhapatnam Range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Gopinath Jetti on Monday stressed the need for police personnel to continuously upgrade their professional skills through rigorous training to effectively address modern policing challenges.

Inaugurating a nine-month training programme for 208 newly selected Stipendiary Cadet Trainee Police Constables at the Vizianagaram District Police Training Centre, the DIG said police today face multiple challenges, including staff shortages, technological gaps, changing crime patterns and recurring law and order issues.

He noted that while the vast majority of citizens are law-abiding, police must remain vigilant against a small section involved in criminal activities, underscoring the importance of strong professional competence.

The trainees have been deputed from four APSP battalions — 39 from Srikakulam, 52 from Rajamahendravaram, 53 from Prakasam and 64 from Chittoor. Of them, 147 are graduates, 12 postgraduates, 28 B.Tech degree holders, three law graduates and two with journalism qualifications.

Kartik Murthy takes charge as Commanding Officer of INS Circars

Visakhapatnam:Commodore Kartik Murthy on Monday assumed charge as the Commanding Officer of INS Circars, the base depot ship of the Eastern Naval Command, from Commodore Happy Mohan.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 1, 1998, Commodore Murthy is a gunnery and missile specialist. He has commanded several frontline naval ships, including INS T 80, INS Vipul, INS Kuthar and INS Satpura.

He has also held various staff and instructional appointments ashore, including tenures at Naval Headquarters. In addition, he served as Defence Attaché at the Embassy of India in Jakarta, Indonesia.

5 men for illegal possession of pistol

Visakhapatnam:Five men were arrested in Srikakulam district for illegal possession of a pistol and a magazine. Superintendent of police K.V. Maheshwara Reddy, at a press meet, commended the officers for apprehending the accused before any crimes could be committed.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Panchireddy Kailash, 25, Alabana Mani, 32, Kalaga Uma Maheshwara Rao, 30, Vurjana Prashanth Kumar, 31, and Thandasi Karthik, 33.

According to police, Kailash and an individual identified as deceased Sattaru Gopi from Etcherla mandal purchased the pistol along with three rounds of ammunition from a person named Santosh in Berhampur of Odisha, intending to use it for criminal activities.

Police said Kailash, along with Mani, Rao, and Prashanth Kumar, asked Karthik to deliver the weapon. Karthik was caught by the police when he arrived at the construction site to hand over the pistol.

A case was registered under Sect 25 and 27 of Arms Act, 1959, at Srikakulam Rural police station.

All five accused have previous criminal record, with cases registered against them at various police stations, including Srikakulam 1 Town, Etcherla and JR Puram.

Anaparti-Bikkavole canal road repair works by Sankranti: MLA

Kakinada:Anaparti MLA Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy on Monday said repair works on the Anaparthi-Bikkavolu canal road would be completed by Sankranti. He launched the works, to be taken up at a cost of ₹7 crore, noting that the road had been in a dilapidated condition.

The MLA also announced that the Janmabhoomi Express would halt at Anaparthi railway station from the first week of January 2026.

He said Seshadri and Ratnachal Express trains already stop at the station and the new halt would benefit hundreds of passengers, especially business travellers to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Man held for murdering grandma for bike money

Visakhapatnam:Vizianagaram district police have arrested a 27-year-old man for allegedly murdering his 70-year-old grandmother over a money dispute at Mudasalapeta village in Bhogapuram mandal.

The accused, Mudasala Gauri, allegedly smothered his grandmother, Mudasala Appayyamma, on December 12 after she refused to give him money for motorcycle instalments. He later stole gold and silver ornaments and dumped the body near a well to mislead police.

Superintendent of police A.R. Damodar said the case was initially reported as a murder by unknown persons. Police arrested the accused while he was attempting to sell the stolen jewellery and recovered 18.25 grams of gold ornaments and 106 grams of silver anklets.

Life term for man in Proddatur murder case

Anantapur:The Proddatur Second Additional District and Sessions Court on Monday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for murdering a youth over a financial dispute.

According to sources, Nagarathnamma of YMR Colony had lent ₹3 lakh to B. Ramachandra Reddy. When her son, Venkata Maheswar Reddy, pressed him to repay the amount, the accused allegedly plotted to eliminate him. On June 24 last year, Ramachandra Reddy attacked Maheswar Reddy with a rod and knife, killed him, dismembered the body and dumped the remains in different parts of Proddatur town.

After the charges were proved, Judge K. Satya Kumari awarded life imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹3 lakh. Kadapa SP N. Viswanath appreciated the police teams for promptly collecting and presenting evidence, leading to the conviction.

Home minister slams YSRC over provocative displays on Jagan’s birthday

Nellore:Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha on Monday criticised the opposition YSRC for what she termed provocative flex banners and irresponsible conduct during the former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s birthday celebrations.

She accused the YSRC of promoting violent imagery through slogans such as “Will severe heads”, involving even children, and condemned animal sacrifices and blood rituals, saying they encourage a culture of violence and complicate law and order management.

Rejecting allegations of political vendetta, Anitha said the government was acting strictly within the law. She asserted that voters had already rejected the YSRC and would do so again. The minister also highlighted the government’s anti-drug drive through the Eagle team and claimed no police constables were recruited during the previous YSRC regime.

Man arrested for murder of a woman in Srikakulam

Visakhapatnam:Srikakulam district police have arrested a man for the murder of a woman whose body was found on a national highway service road.

Gollapalli Prashanth Kumar, a resident of Narasannapeta, was taken into custody based on technical evidence, including cellphone data and CCTV footage, to track him down.

The victim, identified as Gurugubelli Seetharatnam, was found dead on December 3 on the Visakhapatnam-Srikakulam NH-16 service road within the Etcherla police station limits.

The case was initially registered as a suspicious death but was later converted to a murder investigation after her son reported that her mangalsutra and mobile phone were missing.

According to police, Prashanth Kumar and the victim had known each other for approximately two years. Police say the accused strangled Seetharatnam with her sari and the thread of her mangalsutra on December 2 after she demanded `50,000 and threatened to expose their relationship to his wife.

Police said Prashanth Kumar subsequently took the victim’s mangalsutra and cellphone before abandoning her body on the roadside and fleeing the scene.

JR Puram circle inspector Avatharam, along with Etcherla sub-inspector and staff, intercepted Prashanth Kumar’s vehicle at Jarjam Junction.

Upon questioning, the accused reportedly confessed to the crime. Police recovered a rolled gold chain and a gold pendant from him.

The case has been registered as Cr. No. 279/2025 under sections 103(1) and 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

8 held as online cricket betting racket busted in Guntur

Vijayawada:Guntur district police have busted an illegal online cricket betting racket in Guntur city on Monday and arrested eight persons, including two who organised the betting.

Police seized ₹13.60 lakh in cash and froze ₹5.05 lakh of online transactions, apart from confiscating eight mobile phones and a laptop.

Guntur district superintendent of police Vakul Jindal said acting on credible information, police raided a house in Vikas Nagar Third Line under the jurisdiction of the Pattabhipuram Police Station around 11:30 a.m.

They found two persons managing the betting operation while six others had been actively placing bets on their mobile phones.

Investigations revealed that the prime accused Tatineni Srinivasa Rao had been running online cricket betting for nearly 10 years with assistance of Yerrabothula Vijay Bhaskar Reddy. The duo allegedly used WhatsApp groups to share betting app login credentials and facilitated ball-by-ball betting during international, national and league matches. Bets ranged from ₹100 to ₹10,000, with money transferred via PhonePe and winnings settled within 24 hours.

Police busted the racket while preparations had been underway to place bets on the Big Bash League match between Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat. All the accused, residents of Guntur city, have been remanded to judicial custody.