The Chittoor police on Tuesday arrested three accused in the murder of Chittoor Mayor Katari Anuradha and her husband Katari Mohan on November 17.
A family dispute is thought to be the reason behind the murder and the couple's nephew Chandrasekhar alias Chintu is the chief accused in the case. However, the police suspect the involvement of a total of 11 people.
Chittoor SP Ghattamaneni Srinivas produced the trio who were identified as GS Venkatachalapati (51) from Karnataka; T Manjunatha (27) and K Jayaprakash of from Chittoor district, The Hindu adds.
“Chintu led the murderous attack on the couple. He is the main accused and absconding, but we have in our custody three others who participated in the attack. Investigations so far have revealed a power struggle was going on between the couple and Chintu who wanted his share of the spoils after Anuradha became mayor. He wanted Katari Mohan to project him as a TDP leader and insisted people coming to meet the mayor be sent to meet him too. There were lots of bruised egos and financial disputes between them,” the SP told The Indian Express.
Earlier, the district police in Andhra Pradesh formed four special teams to nab the prime suspect. A motorcycle, clothes with blood stains and some live bullets were seized during the investigation.
The incident occurred at the Chittoor Municipal Corporation office last week after burqa-clad men attacked the couple, leaving the mayor and her husband dead.
Addressing the media, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said, “We will not leave the culprits however influential they are. Some of the attackers are still at large. The police will catch them soon."
Reports add that a case is already registered on charges of murder and other relevant sections of IPC and under Arms Act against 11 accused including Chintu and the police are on the lookout.
