PD Act invoked against Rakesh Reddy

Police have invoked the Preventive Detention Act against K Rakesh Reddy, prime accused in the sensational murder case of NRI businessman Chigurupati Jayaram.

Jayaram, who was managing director of the now-defunct Telugu news channel, Express TV, and director of the Coastal Bank, was confined, subjected to extortion and killed by Rakesh Reddy and his close associates at his Jubilee Hills house in January.

Recently, the city police filed a charge sheet against Rakesh Reddy and 11 others, including two police officers, of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and Inspector, for concealing Jayaram’s murder.

“The cops, whose names were mentioned in the charge sheet, and a few in question were very much aware of Jayaram’s murder, but intentionally did not inform the local police. Hence they were also made accused in the case,” said a senior police officer.

With the PD Act invoked against Rakesh Reddy, lodged in the Chanchalguda Central Prison, “he can’t come out on bail for one year,”, said the officer.

Sources said the police were likely to mention names of a few more officers in a supplementary charge sheet, to be filed in the local court. “Rakesh Reddy was in contact with a couple of police officers in question and informed them of the murder. Surprisingly, none of them turned up and informed the local police,” the investigators said.