An astrologer-cum-realtor was shot by two bike-borne assailants outside his house at Jinkala Bavi Colony under Saroornagar police station limits on Wednesday afternoon.
The victim identified as Kuraparti Nagaraju, 55, suffered two bullet injuries in his stomach and one in the thigh. He was rushed to Sai Sanjeevini Hospital at Kothapet by his family members where his condition is reported to be critical.
Nagaraju is the prime accused in the sensational murder of Bhootam Durga Rao, owner of Eluru JK Palace, at Peda Avutapalli in Krishna district. Nagaraju, a native of Pinakadimi in West Godavari district, and nine others planned and killed Durga Rao on April 6, 2014. Later, he and his gang had surrendered at Eluru 3 Town Police station and later escaped from police custody, according to police.
On receipt of information, DCP (LB Nagar) Tafseer Iqubal with his team rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation. “We are scrutinising the CCTV footages obtained from the nearby places and trying to connect the dots of the attack in figuring out the culprits,” the DCP said adding that a dog squad has been pressed into service.
Durga Rao’s kin Bhootam Govind and Bhootam Srinivas employed hired killers from Mumbai to eliminate four of the accused in their brother’s murder on September 23, 2014, but luckily Nagaraju escaped from the attack. Ever since, Nagaraju, the prime accused, has gone into a hiding and took shelter in Bengaluru and other places. It is feared that Durga Rao’s kin may have planned the attack on Nagaraju who has been staying in an independent house in Saroornagar for the past six months.
According to sources, the gunmen went into the residence of Nagaraju and fired at him before conducting a recce of the isolated place. Taking advantage of the commotion, the gunmen managed to make good their escape from the scene of offence.
Police after registering a case took up investigation. A massive manhunt has been launched to nab the culprits. (INN)