Kurnool: A YouTube channel reporter was allegedly killed by Venkata Subbaiah, a Two Town police constable in Nandyal on Sunday night. The victim Chenna Keshav (33), who was a reporter in V5 YouTube channel, had uploaded a few videos exposing the constable’s nexus with matka organizers. Upset with the videos, the constable and his brother invited the reporter to their home in NGO colony on Sunday night.
At about 10.30 pm they attacked him with a screwdriver. He collapsed with grievous injuries and was shifted to hospital where he died, said Nandyal DSP Chidananda Reddy.
Meanwhile, DGP Gautam Sawang ordered an inquiry into the murder, which, incidentally, is the first time that a reporter has been killed in Nandyal.
Kurnool SP Sudheer Kumar Reddy, who visited the murder spot on Sunday night, said that both accused were taken into custody. On the completion of the investigation under DSP N. Ramanji Naik, they will be produced before the magistrate and sent to judicial custody.
On a complaint filed by the reporter’s wife, a case was registered under various sections in Nandyal II Town police station. Reddy pointed out that since the deceased was an SC, relevant sections of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act were also included.
The investigation is being closely monitored by senior officials to ensure conviction.
Mobile phone holds the key: According to eyewitnesses, the two accused took away the victim’s mobile phone after assaulting him. Local sources said that the constable was suspended last week for his alleged involvement with the town’s matka and gutka dons.
The mobile phone of the victim reportedly contains telephonic records and video files which would throw much evidence in establishing the role of the accused constable in extending support to underworld operations.
Meanwhile, Youtube channel owners are fearing for their life after the Nandyal incident, One DLN Sastry, a native of Betamcherla, who has been uploading videos on the functioning of police every day, apprehending threat to his life has sought protection, At least 100 YouTube channels are operating in the district, said a police officer.
