Police probing money angle in realtor’s murder

HYDERABAD: Only 20 minutes before he was hacked to death on Wednesday evening, K Raji Reddy, a civil contractor and real estate businessman, spoke to his friend, Kondal Reddy, over the phone.

Minutes later, Raji Reddy got another call from an unknown person apparently asking him to come near an isolated place near by Neil Gogte Engineering College in Parvathapur, where was killed. It is being suspected that financial dispute pertaining to real estate could be the reason behind the realtor’s murder.

Rachakonda police said that around 7.20 pm, Kondal Reddy called him up and asked him about his location. Raji Reddy told his friend that he was in Uppal. The Medipally police said, “Later, between 7.30 pm and 7.45 pm, Raji Reddy got a call from someone, whom we believe was known to him. He was asked him to come to Parvathapur Road. When the victim reached the location, he was attacked with a sickle.’’ It is still a mystery as to why Raji Reddy, who is a resident of Champapet, went to Parvathapur, and over what issue. The police suspect that three to five persons participated in the murder. The victim suffered injuries to his neck, face and back.

There were blood stains inside the car. “When he attempted to escape, the attackers caught him again at some distance from the car,” the police said.

Raji Reddy’s wife, Sushmitha lodged a complaint with the police after she was informed about the murder by the Medipally police. The couple have two sons. On Wednesday, Raji Reddy left his residence at around 9 am, his family members came to know about the murder at 9 pm. The police have registered a case under Section 302 (murder) of IPC.