Hyderabad: Hyderabad police have arrested four men, including CPI-ML Red Flag party state secretary Donthi Rajesh, in connection with the murder of CPI state council member Kethavath Chandu Rathod, who was gunned down in broad daylight on July 15 at a park in Moosarambagh.
The victim was shot dead near Shalivahana Nagar GHMC Park while returning from a morning walk. According to police, the killing was the result of a long-standing political and personal dispute between Rathod and Rajesh, who had been close associates until recently.
A case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act, and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was registered at Malakpet Police Station. Police identified six accused, including absconding suspects linked to past criminal cases in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Investigators said Rajesh, also known as Rajanna, had conspired with five others Kumba Yedukondalu, Srinu @ Nagaraju, Arjun Gnana Prakash, Lingibedi Rambabu, and Kandukuri Prashanth to eliminate Rathod. The motive stemmed from financial disputes and personal enmity, including allegations of embezzlement, betrayal over a 100-acre encroachment in Kuntloor village, and claims of personal misconduct.
On the morning of the attack, the accused travelled in a rented grey Swift car to Rathod’s residence but deferred the plan. They later intercepted him at the park. As Rathod exited, Prashanth hurled chilli powder into his eyes, and Arjun and Srinu opened fire using a pistol and a revolver. Rathod died on the spot. Rambabu, armed with knives, stood by in case the gunfire failed.
Police recovered three fired cartridges, two misfired bullets, and other ballistic evidence from the scene. The car used in the offence, rented from Long Drive Cars in Dilsukhnagar, was seized the same day.
Two of the accused were arrested in Kavali on July 18 while trying to escape to Nellore. Gold from a burglary in Visakhapatnam, linked to an FIR registered at Gajuwaka Police Station, was recovered from their possession. Hours later, Rajesh and Yedukondalu were apprehended near Janagam with firearms and live ammunition.
The investigation was led by ACP Malakpet K. Subbarami Reddy and SHO P. Naresh under the supervision of senior officers from the South East Zone and Task Force.