The police beat up four murder suspects in public view in Guntakal on Sunday evening.
Sekhar, Somu, Peddanna alias Pedda and Hussain — accused of murdering Malliah (65) — were made to kneel and beaten up by the town police led by Guntakal Deputy Superintendent of Police E. Supraja.
The police action was captured by television camera crews and the public in their mobile phones. Also seen wielding lathis were Circle Inspector Sreenivasulu and Sub-Inspector Ismail.
The main accused Sekhar had allegedly conspired with three others to kill his father-in-law Malliah over division of property. Police further said Sekhar had allegedly slit the throat of Malliah (65), who bled to death.
While the accused were picked up on November 27, the police apparently decided to bring them out of custody and punish them in public. Scores of onlookers cheered the police.
Meanwhile, in Hyderabad, Director-General of Police B. Prasada Rao said at a press conference that he had called for a report from Deputy Inspector-General (Anantapur Range) B. Balakrishna on the incident.