TDP leader found murdered in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD - Hyderabad police Monday constituted four teams to track down the killers of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Chalasani Venkateswara Rao, alias Pandu, who was found murdered in his apartment.

The TDP leader from coastal district of Krishna was killed by unidentified people late Sunday night at Madhuranagar in Yousuguda, police said.

Television channels reported that Pandu’s close aide Mahipal Reddy and another person, allegedly involved in the murder, surrendered before the police in Kukatpally area in the city. However, police have not confirmed the reports.

Police Commissioner A.K. Khan told reporters that he is confident of arresting the culprits soon.

Khan said Pandu had a dispute with Reddy over the payment of commission in a real estate transaction.

Pandu, who contested assembly elections unsuccessfully on three occasions, was one of the accused in the murder of the Congress legislator Vangaveti Mohan Ranga in 1988. However, he was acquitted by the court.

TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu has condemned the killing and demanded a probe.