HYDERABAD: In a swift breakthrough, Hyderabad police solved the murder of CPI state council member Kethavath Chandu Rathod, arresting five men, including the alleged mastermind, D Rajesh alias Rajanna, a senior leader of the CPI-ML (Red Flag). Rathod was gunned down during his morning walk at Shalivahana Nagar Park on July 15. Investigators said a long-running feud over extortion money and suspicions of an affair triggered the killing.Southeast zone DCP S Chaitanya Kumar said Rajesh, 48, held a deep grudge against Chandu, once his political ally, and orchestrated the murder with a group of hired accomplices from Andhra Pradesh. A fingerprint found on the rented getaway vehicle led police to the suspects.The arrested include Rajesh, K Yedukondalu of Karmanghat, Srinu alias Nagaraju, a former Praja Pratighatana member, welder Arjun Gnana Prakash, auto driver L Rambabu from Nellore, and hotel worker Kandukuri Prashanth from Yadadri Bhuvanagiri. They were picked up from Kavali and Jangaon between July 18 and 19.Rajesh’s motive, police said, stemmed from multiple betrayals. In 2022, the two had allegedly collected 13 lakh for building 1,300 huts on Bhoodan land in Kuntloor. Rajesh accused Chandu of pocketing the money. In another incident, Chandu used Rajesh to intimidate a builder in a family dispute, later extorting 12 lakh from the builder but refusing to share the sum.Further, Rajesh believed Chandu had exposed his affair to his wife and even suspected Chandu of being involved with her. “That suspicion, combined with previous betrayals, pushed Rajesh to plan the murder,” the DCP said.The plan took shape in Jan this year. On July 14, the gang met in a rented room at Uppal Bhagayat. The next morning, they tailed Chandu from his Chaitanyapuri home to the park. Around 7.20 am, as Chandu exited, Prashanth threw chilli powder in his eyes. Srinu and Prakash then fired at him with a revolver and pistol. Rambabu stood ready with knives as backup. Rajesh later fired another round to ensure Chandu’s death.The assailants were dropped at Dilsukhnagar and the Swift car, rented from Kothapet, was returned. The group regrouped at Uppal before fleeing to various locations through Kodad. Key leads in the case included CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and a fingerprint from Prakash-who has a criminal background-on the getaway car. Police also recovered two firearms, shell casings, and the rental vehicle. Prakash and Rambabu were arrested in Kavali on July 18. During questioning, they confessed to involvement in a recent burglary in Visakhapatnam, and stolen gold was seized. Their statements led police to Rajesh and Yedukondalu in Jangaon the next day.More conspirators are involved: Chandu’s family After the arrests, Chandu’s family staged a protest at Saidabad police station, alleging more conspirators were involved. As supporters tried to block the police vehicle transporting the accused to court, police dispersed the crowd. “My husband had no affair and didn’t extort anyone. What police are claiming is false,” said Chandu’s widow, Naribai.
