Hyderabad: Five Arrested in CPI Leader Chandunayak's Murder Case
As part of the probe, five suspects were taken into custody today. However, the police have not yet disclosed the identities or specific roles of the accused.
Five persons were arrested for the murder of CPI state committee member Kethavath Chandu Rathod, police said on Saturday, adding that Chandu Rathod was killed over a financial dispute and an illicit affair.
The police arrested Donthi Rajesh, a resident of Satyanagar Colony in Hyderabad; Arjun Gnana Prakash, a resident of Nellore; Lingibedi Rambabu from Nellore; Kandukuri Prashanth from Yadadri Bhongir; Kumba Yedukondalu, alias Srinu, from Bhupeshguptanagar, Karmanghat, Hyderabad.
While Rajesh is a member of CPI-ML, Yedukondalu has ties with Praja Prathinidhi Party.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), South East Zone, S. Chaitanya Kumar said Chandu Rathod collected `13 lakhs from the followers of main accused Rajesh. Chandu Rathod blamed before the party that Rajesh did not transfer collected funds to put up huts.
"Chandu Rathod’s alleged extra-marital affair with Rajesh's wife and Chandu exposing and the complaint before CPI seniors left Rajesh feeling betrayed. Chandu Rathod also threatened to expose Rajesh's affair. Rajesh in this period also suffered losses of `50 lakhs. This is when Rajesh decided to eliminate Chandu Rathod," the DCP said.
On last Tuesday, Rajesh and his associates tracked Rathod at Shalivahananagar Park in Malakpet. They allegedly threw chilli powder into the eyes of Chandu Rathod, blinding him before opening fire. Rathod, 47, attempted to escape, but the assailants chased him down and shot him dead.
Rajesh and Rathod were friends before. In 2022, Rajesh with the support of the Chandu Rathod, erected 1,300 huts of his followers on 100 acres in Kuntloor village of Hayathnagar mandal.
Similarly, Medak Police identified the accused for killing Congress party leader M. Anil due to land disputes. Police in their probe found that Anil indulged in land issues located at Rangapatnam locality and the land owners along with others used country-made weapons to kill the Congress leader by opening fire.
Initially, police suspected land settlements in Hyderabad and detained 20 suspects. During the probe and call data, police identified the accused.
