Obulesu gets lifer for bid to kidnap Aurobindo boss

Hyderabad: Excise constable Obulesu, who was accused of trying to kidnap Aurobindo Pharma vice chairman Nityananda Reddy, was awarded life imprisonment by the metropolitan sessions court here on Thursday. 

 

Obulesu attacked Mr Reddy with an AK-47 rifle in November 2014 while he was returning after his morning walk at KBR Park. The attack occurred when Mr Reddy was coming out of the park and was getting into his car. Obulesu forced himself into the car and aimed the weapon at Mr Reddy. Mr Prasad, Reddy's brother, who was a short distance away, came to his rescue. Meanwhile, Obulesu fired nearly 20 rounds. Both of them escaped without injuries.

 

Obulesu fled from the spot leaving his weapon. Police seized the weapon and started investigation based on CCTV footage and other clues. He was nabbed within 12 hours of the offence. 

 

During investigation, cops found that Obulesu who was working at CPL headquarters at Amberpet stole the weapon in December 2014, while he was working for Greyhounds. He hid the weapon at a forest in the Nandyal area in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Using the same weapon, he kidnapped Kaki Suresh, the grandson of former chief secretary Kaki Madhava Rao and extorted '10 lakh. After the offence he again hid the weapon in the forest.

 

“We filed the charge sheet within 90 days of the offence and requested the court for a speedy trial as it was a sensational case. Based on the importance of cases we are requesting speedy trials,” said DCP A. Venkateswar Rao.

 

After examining 38 witnesses metropolitan sessions court Judge P. Rajini pronounced the judgement on Thursday awarding a life term for Obulesu in both cases.