Within 24 hours after the alleged murder of rowdy-sheeter Suvvada Mahesh, the police appear to have put to rest the theories of gang rivalry or supari (contract) killing, as suspected initially.
Sources in the police say it seems to be an act of desperation and a heated argument between the deceased and two others led to the alleged attack.
It is learnt that two persons Narayana Rao and his nephew Manikantha have been taken into custody for questioning in the case.
Fit of rage
It may be remembered that 32-year-old Suvvada Mahesh was murdered following a dispute between him and a couple of others after a liquor party.
Mahesh was reportedly battered to death with a heavy stone near Pithapuram Colony under MVP Police Station limits.
As per sources in the police, both Mahesh and Narayana Rao were habitual gamblers and were partners in gambling. Mahesh, who was building a house near Adarshnagar, had been demanding some amount from Narayana Rao for completing the electrical works. Vexed with the demands and repeated threat of elimination, Narayana Rao and his nephew allegedly took a decision to eliminate Mahesh and on Wednesday after a couple of drinks allegedly battered him to death with a stone.
Initially, the police were under the impression that it could be a gang rivalry as Mahesh was one among the key accused in the Kopperla Satyanarayana Raju alias Gedela Raju murder case.
It may be remembered that Gedela Raju was murdered last October and 11 persons were arrested including DSP Ravi Babu.
The deceased Mahesh was also involved in the murder of one lady by name Kavita, Malla Ramana and one Kanakaraju.
Though police have not confirmed taking into custody Narayana Rao and Manikantha, it is learnt that both accused have spilled the beans and the murder plot.
