Hyderabad: CPI Leader Shot Dead During Morning Walk

Hyderabad: A CPI leader was shot dead by four assailants, one of them believed to be his former friend Rajesh, at around 7.30 am on Tuesday when he stopped to have a glass of juice after his morning walk outside Salivahana Park in Dilsukhnagar. The assailants drove away in a car after the attack.

The attackers allegedly threw chilli powder into the eyes of the victim, K. Chandu Rathod alias Chandu Naik, blinding him before opening fire. Rathod, 47, attempted to escape, but the assailants chased him down and shot him dead. He was a state council member of the CPI.

Police said seven bullets were fired, of which two misfired. Five bullets struck Rathod.

Rathod is survived by his wife, Naarabai, daughter Sindhu, and a son, who is studying in Canada. The family reportedly went for a morning walk together daily, but on Tuesday, the wife and daughter had left ten minutes earlier.

Locals and CPI leaders said the attackers initially fired three rounds, then two more, including one aimed at his head. The family has identified Rajesh, a former close friend of Rathod, as the prime suspect.

The two had reportedly developed differences over land disputes during the past three months. Locals said the assailants were seen conducting a recce near Rathod’s house the previous evening.

Upon hearing the gunfire, locals rushed out to find Rathod bleeding from the head. An ambulance was called, and the police were informed, but he succumbed to his injuries before help arrived.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a witness, Avinash, who visits the park daily to play badminton, said, “At first we mistook the firing for a bike accelerating, but when it continued, we rushed out. By then, the assailants had fled in a grey car towards Marutinagar and Chaitanyapuri.”

Another local, Kamalakar, said, “There was a doctor nearby, possibly accompanying Rathod during the walk. When he tried to approach the victim, the attackers threatened him at gunpoint and he backed off.”

Another resident, who rushed to Rathod’s house to inform his family, said they were in shock. The body was shifted to Osmania Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination around 9 am. The area was cordoned off, and Task Force and dog squads were called in to assist the law and order police.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Rathod’s wife, Naarabai, said “I saw Rajesh sitting in a car last night and even this morning, but my husband assured me he wouldn’t cause harm. Today, he stopped to have juice and we walked ahead... and then this happened. They shot his head, ribs, arms...”

She added, “He was a good man. He never harmed anyone. He always took care of me. Now I don’t know who will…”

Speaking of the conflict between Rajesh and Rathod, Naarabai said, “I was told very recently about some huts my husband, Rajesh, Ravinder Chary, and a few others had set up at Kuntloor. The others were collecting `20,000 to `30,000 from people, so my husband tried to stop them. But they cornered him. Since then, we haven't been in touch with them.”

Party members said Rajesh believed Rathod had swindled money during a professional deal. They also claimed Rajesh was angry with Rathod for supporting a romantic affair within his family. While Rajesh is also known to be a CPI(ML) leader, locals have denied his association with the CPI.

Police sources said that Rathod was known for “illegally occupying” government land to build huts for the poor. He was also listed as Accused No. 2 in a 2022 murder case registered at LB Nagar police station, where a centring worker named Bhanu was found dead in Khammam after going missing. “We’re investigating how these cases are connected,” said a senior police officer, adding that multiple suspects connected to both cases are being interrogated.

The police also said that while this was not an unprecedented attack on Rathod, he may not have anticipated the intensity of the threat.

News about the four accused surrendering before the police remains unconfirmed by officials and local party members. The Malakpet police have registered a case, and further investigation into the incident is underway.