Aurobindo Pharma MD attack: Former cop made extortion bid, claims police

Hyderabad: High drama unfolded at the KBR Park when an unidentified man, armed with an AK-47 rifle, made a vain bid to abduct a top official of a city-based pharma company. After checking CCTV footage of a super bazaar in Mehdipatnam, police probing the KBR firing incident have decided that it was a clear case of extortion or kidnap for ransom wherein an ex-cop who had got hold of a missing Greyhounds AK-47, had become an “amateur extortionist”.

Investigators suspect the role of a repatriated policeman, identified as one Obuleshu of Greyhounds, since the sketch and CCTV footage showed similarities. The man is now with the Excise Department and was reportedly on a 15-day earned leave.

Read: Unidentified man fires at Aurobindo Pharma MD with AK-47 at KBR Park

Police, with the help of CID portrait makers, made a sketch of the suspect based on the CCTV footage and inputs given by the industrialist and eye witnesses and have sent a lookout notice.

A month-old bill found in the bag of the assailant led the investigators to TT Super Bazaar near pillar number 22 in Mehdipatnam where the suspect had purchased provisions. The police retrieved the CCTV footage of the suspect who was wearing a Reebok cap. Industrialist K. Nityananda Reddy also said that the person in the CCTV looked like the man who had tried to kidnap him.

The cap was also found in the bag that the assailant left at the scene of the offence along with a T-shirt and other articles like a soft drink bottle.

“The assailant kept the weapon in manual mode so single bullets were fired,” said an investigator.

Read: Aurobindo MD attackers' rifle once belonged to greyhounds

The police, who have shown pictures of known extortionists and former suspended cops to Mr Nityananda Reddy, are not sure whether he was a specific target for the assailant.

Mr Nityananda Reddy’s cousin, C.S. Reddy, said, “The super bazaar images matched to that of the assailant. He was wearing the same cap. Police also showed us photos of ex-cops and as well as few extortionists and one of them also looked similar. The suspect is stout and strongly built.”

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A top official close to the investigation said, “It appears to be a clear case of extortion or kidnap for ransom. We are now working on got the weapon and how it found its way to the assailant. The cooked-up story angle is ruled out as no one would play with an AK 47 and fire eight rounds. We are yet to confirm whether Mr Nityananda Reddy was the target or if the assailant was preying on any rich man. On the face of it, it was a very amateurish act.”

Read: Poor KBR park security comes to light

A counter Intelligence official said, “We have ruled out the involvement of terror suspects or Maoists.”

Experts said 7.65 caliber bullet shells were found at the scene. Police are also checking CCTV footage at various junctions en route to KBR Park.