The ice cream vendor, Shaik Mastan, who allegedly kidnapped and murdered seven-year-old Nadipalli Shiva Charan, son of N. Kanaka Rao, was selling ice cream for the last few years and was a good friend of many children.
Mastan took away Shiva Charan when he came to his ice cream cart. Locals had seen the boy last with Mastan, before he was done to death.
The boy purchased one ice cream at 6 p.m. from the accused, and again he took ₹10 from his mother and came to Mastan, around 8.30 p.m. and was missing since then.
“He [Mastan] was selling colourful ice candies to children and used to move closely with many locals, particularly with the children. Every day, Mastan used to spend much of the time in the evenings in Ranigarithota area. But, we never expected that he will kill the boy,” said Kumari, a local resident.
Shiva Charan’s father, Kanaka Rao, is an auto driver and also runs a small grocery shop in front of his house. Mastan used to spend some time at the shop regularly, the locals said.
“After whisking away the boy, Mastan allegedly murdered him by drowning him in the canal after an hour. Later, he roped in the juvenile, who called up Kanaka Rao and demanded ₹1 lakh. The accused has tied the legs of the boy with ‘Kikkisa grass’ (gurrapu dekka) in the canal and left the spot,” said Police Commissioner D. Gautam Sawang.
Mastan and his accomplice used to indulge in gambling and cricket betting and were allegedly addicted to vices. The minor boy allegedly gave some hand loan to Mastan and they were in inebriated condition when they committed the crime, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Gajarao Bhupal said.
“The ice cream vendor made the boy sit on his cart and moved in the street for some time, before he disappeared with the victim. But, why he killed Shiva Charan instantly is confusing the police. We are questioning the accused to ascertain the exact motive of the killing”, the DCP said.