Murthy killed day before HC was to hear case
Hyderabad: Social activist Nagavelli Rajalinga Murthy, 53, who had taken on former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao in a corruption case, was murdered by six unidentified assailants in Reddy Colony of Bhupalapalli on Wednesday evening. Murthy was attacked with knives while riding his bike at about 7.30 pm.
He sustained severe head injuries and stab wounds on his stomach. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
A case was registered and a further probe is on, police said.
Murthy had shot to limelight for his legal battle against Chandrashekar Rao and former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao, accusing them of corruption in the construction of the Medigadda barrage under the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme (KLIS). Alleging financial irregularities that had led to the sinking of the barrage piers in October 2023, he filed a case in the additional judicial magistrate court at Bhupalapalli.
Murthy was murdered a day before the High Court's scheduled hearing in this case.
On October 25, 2023, soon after the Medigadda barrage collapsed, Murthy had lodged a complaint with the Bhupalapalli police, seeking an FIR against Chandrashekar Rao, Harish Rao and others, including officials and construction firms involved in the barrage project. However, the police closed the complaint citing jurisdiction compulsions. Subsequently, Murthy filed a private complaint before the additional judicial magistrate, which was dismissed on January 12, 2024.
Determined to pursue the case, Murthy approached the principal sessions judge at Bhupalapalli, who admitted the case and issued notices to Chandrashekar Rao and the others on July 5, 2024. Summons were issued five days later but the accused did not respond until December 23, 2024. Facing potential warrants, the two BRS leaders moved the Telangana High Court to quash the orders.
On December 24, 2024, the Telangana High Court suspended the lower court's orders and directed Murthy to file counter-affidavits by January 7, 2025. However, his legal counsel sought many adjournments.
On February 13, Justice K. Lakshman of the Telangana High Court granted a final one-week extension, setting the next hearing for February 20.
It was the day before this hearing that Murthy was murdered by unknown assailants.
Following the attack, police arrived at the crime scene and launched an investigation. Authorities are exploring several angles, including political motives and personal enmity. Reports indicate that many cases were registered against Murthy in the past, and a rowdy sheet was opened against him at the Bhupalapalli police station.
Meanwhile, Murthy’s wife, Sarala, who was elected as the 15th ward councillor on a BRS ticket, later joined the Congress.
