11 held for Konda Reddy murder

Eleven persons, including the brother of a member of legislative assembly, were arrested at Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh in connection with the killing of T Konda Reddy, an accused in the murder of Telugu Desam Party legislator Paritala Ravindra, police have said.

"Balaji, brother of TDP MLA from Penukonda constituency Paritala Sunitha (widow of Ravindra), along with 11 others were arrested for the murder of Konda Reddy, who was shot dead in his house in Anantapur on February 22," said Kola Krishna, Anantput officer on special duty told mediapersons.

Reddy, who was accused No 13 in Ravindra murder case, was a Congress leader and former mandal president of Kangaganapalle town. Reddy was arrested in Ravindra murder case in 2005 and was released on bail in February 2009.

He had survived three attempts on his life earlier. Balaji, Vinay Kumar alias Vijay, Chandra, Ramaji Naidu, Vinod, Nagendra and Ramakrishna have been accused of conspiring Reddy's murder while the four others were arrested on charge of giving shelter and providing vehicles to the accused, Krishna said.

"All the 11 persons were apprehended from different parts of Anantapur district. During interrogation, Vijay confessed to firing at Konda Reddy," the official said, adding the motive behind the murder was rivalry and area domination in the faction-hit Anantapur district in Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.

The police also seized a .38 revolver, a pistol, a 12 bore rifle and few sickles from the accused, besides Rs 1.54 lakh in cash. All of them have been sent to judicial remand, Krishna said.

Earlier, on January 3, G Suryanarayana Reddy alias Suri, the prime accused in Ravindra murder case, was shot dead by gunmen at Yousufguda area. Hyderabad Police had arrested four persons in connection with his killing even as the main suspect and his one-time aide, Bhanu Kiran, continues to remain at large.