The police have cracked the sensational murder case of rowdy-sheeter Kopperla Satyanarayana Raju alias Gedela Raju, here on Saturday. Deputy Superintendent of Police Dasari Ravi Babu, who is currently posted as Vigilance Officer of APSRTC, has been named as the prime accused in the murder case, by the Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP) D. Nagendra Kumar here on Sunday.
The other main accused is Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Raju, editor and managing director of a local Telugu daily ‘Kshatriya Bheri.’
The police arrested nine persons, who were reportedly hired by Ravi Babu and Srinivasa Raju, to eliminate Gedela Raju.
‘Absconding’
DSP Ravi Babu and Bhupathiraju and his driver Kesav are absconding. We have launched a manhunt and we will arrest them shortly, said the Joint Commissioner.
Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Raju, editor and managing director of ‘Kshatriya Bheri.’ | Photo Credit: arranged
It may be remembered that the police on October 7 had discovered a badly charred body near Galli Bheemavaram village under Sabbavaram police station limits. The police identified the body as that of Gedela Raju.
It may also be remembered that Dasari Ravi Babu was suspended in 2016, based on a complaint filed by one Padmalatha, daughter of ex-MLA of Payakaraopeta Kakara Nookaraju. Padmalatha alleged that Ravi Babu had an affair with her by promising to marry her and later disowned.
Upset by this, Ravi Babu allegedly got Padmalatha eliminated, when she was staying at the house of Gedela Raju in September 2016. For the job, the police officer entered into a contract for ₹1 crore with Gedela Raju, said Mr. Nagendra Kumar.
After the death of Padmalatha, the DSP reportedly paid Gedela Raju ₹50 lakh. But with the help of a recorded conversation, Gedela Raju was blackmailing Ravi Babu, said Mr. Nagendra Kumar.
Unable to bear the harassment, Ravi Babu hatched a plan with Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Raju, a common friend and an associate of Gedela Raju, to eliminate the later.