Now, it is turn of two police officers to face heat

Hyderabad: West Zone Jubilee Hills police at last summoned for interrogation two police officers allegedly associated with K Rakesh Reddy, principal suspect in the murder of NRI industrialist and promoter of defunct Express TV Chigurupati Jayaram. The police served notices on the two police officers to appear before them on Monday for questioning.

After committing murder, Rakesh Reddy confessed to have spoken to several police officers on phone and sought their guidance to project the murder as a road accident. During the investigation, Andhra Pradesh police stumbled on the information regarding the suspect’s alleged association with the police officers.

The Telangana higher officials immediately swung into action and transferred Ibrahimpatnam Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Malla Reddy and Nallakunta Circle Inspector Srinivasulu.

As the incident took place in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar appointed Banjara Hills ACP as investigating officer. After the case transferred to Hyderabad police by Andhra Pradesh police, the investigating team had found that as many as 11 police officers were in touch with Rakesh Reddy.

The police said the suspect had first spoken to Nallakunta Circle Inspector Srinivasulu after committing the murder and sought the latter’s help in projecting it as a road accident. Fearing that the city-wide network of CCTV cameras could expose him, Rakesh Reddy, the police said, had shifted the body to Ithavaram under Nandigam police station limits in Andhra Pradesh.

ACP Malla Reddy, the police said, had called the suspect on phone when the latter was on his way towards Vijayawada to inquiry about the case registered in Adibatla. When the suspect told him about the murder, the ACP abruptly disconnected the phone.

Later, Rakesh Reddy reportedly called Raidurga Circle Inspect and tried to seek his help. But the police officer reportedly advised the suspect to surrender before Jubilee Hills police. The suspect immediately switched off the phone and proceeded toward Vijayawada, the police said.

The police found that Rakesh Reddy had interfered in civil disputes on the city outskirts and he had been in constant touch with the police officials of Gachibowli, Serilingampally, Madhapur, Jeedimetla, Quthbullapur, Hayathnagar and Adibatla police stations.

He allegedly settled several civil land disputes by threatening businesspersons and realtors with the help of the police officials. Against this background, the west zone police are summoning the police officials for questioning.