Two arrested in NRI Jayaram murder case

Vijayawada: Krishna district police arrested two persons including main accused Rakesh Reddy and watchman Srinivas in the NRI and industrialist Chigurupati Jayaram’s sensational murder case. Superintendent of Police Sarvasreshth Tripathi presented the two accused before the media at Nandigama police station in Krishna district on Tuesday. 

He said that only the duo was involved in Jayaram’s murder. The SP has given clean chit to Sikha Chowdary, niece of deceased Jayaram, as she has no role in the murder. The police found that financial disputes were main reason behind the murder. 

According to police, Jayaram had borrowed loan from Rakesh Reddy to pay salaries to the employees of his own firm Techron Company. The loan amount had gone up to Rs 6 crore with interest. But Jayaram did not repay the amount though the due date was over.

Rakesh Reddy had been frequently demanding money. But Jayaram did not respond to his phone calls for the past some time. In this backdrop, Rakesh Reddy was watching Jayaram’s movements for several days. 

Jayaram reached Hyderabad on January 29 to attend his business meetings. Rakesh Reddy who has been waiting for Jayaram’s arrival secured information from Sikha Chowdary’s house where the latter stayed. 

Rakesh Reddy lured Jayaram acting as Reena and inviting him through WhatsApp messages to a rendezvous at Jubliee Hills Road No 10. Jayaram was locked up in the house by Rakesh Reddy on January 30 demanding repayment of the amount. 

Jayaram tried to raise money from several of his friends and known persons. But only one person gave Rs 6 lakh at Dasapalla hotel. Since it is a pittance, Rakesh Reddy tortured him asking him to raise more amount. During the clash, Jayaram sustained injuries on his chest and head.

He died on the spot on January 31. Jayaram was a heart patient and the postmortem report confirmed that there were three stents in his heart. 
Later, Rakesh telephoned Ibrahimpatnam Assistant Commissioner of Police Malla Reddy and Nallakunta SI Srinivasulu.

Following their advice, Rakesh shifted the body into Jayaram’s car and left it near Ithavaram village road late on Thursday night to make everyone believe that it was a road accident. After leaving Jayaram’s body, he came to Hyderabad boarding a bus. 

Meanwhile, Nandigama police inquired Jayaram’s wife Padmasree and elicited information from her. She suspected Sikha Chowdary’s role in the murder and demanded full investigation into her role.  But, SP Tripathi clarified that it was Jayaram who had introduced Sikha Chowdary to Rakesh Reddy. Subsequently, she had developed contacts with Rakesh Reddy. However, they didn’t have any contacts for the last several months.  

The SP said that they booked cases against the accused as per Sections 302, 202, 419, 338, 346, 385 and 201 of Indian Penal Code. The inquiry is going on, he said and added that they are contemplating to transfer the case to Telangana police.