Ex-cop arrested for murder conspiracy

 Hyderabad: Task Force sleuths of the Hyderabad police arrested Dasari Bhoomaiah, a former inspector, and his three associates, including a former member of the Janasakthi Pratighatana Naxalite group, for allegedly conspiring to kill a realtor.

The police identified the target as Ekkati Vijaypal Reddy, constable-turned-realtor, who was once a close associate of Bhoomaiah as he had served as an informant in anti-Naxal operations when Bhoomaiah worked in the erstwhile Karimnagar and Adilabad districts.

Hyderabad police commissioner C.V. Anand said that Bhoomaiah was arrested by the ACB in 2018, and that he suspected Vijaypal Reddy of giving information about the former’s wrongdoings. He was suspended and subsequently retired from service and was also associated with the Congress for a brief period.

Anand said that Bhoomaiah acquired several land plots illegally during his service and got them registered in Vijaypal Reddy’s name, and then helped him start a realty business and settle land disputes.

Following his release from jail, he and Vijaypal Reddy developed differences due to which he decided to murder the latter.

Bhoomaiah struck a deal with three persons for Rs 20 lakh, paying an advance of RS 5 lakh. Based on a tip-off, the police arrested the trio, identified as Shanker, Gaddem Kumar and Gorre Royagolla, from a hotel in Secunderabad and recovered Rs1 lakh, sickles and a countrymade pistol.

“They came to Hyderabad and conducted a recce of Vijaypal Reddy’s residence using the details shared by Bhoomaiah. As they were taking shelter in a hotel in Secunderabad, police nabbed them,” said Anand.

Responding to queries on Bhoomaiah’s association with Teenmar Mallanna, Anand said that they are still verifying that aspect. “He will be taken into police custody for further interrogation on this and several other aspects,” he said.