In a gruesome incident, three grandchildren of Congress leader Shanigaram Raghupathi Reddy were killed allegedly by one of their close relatives on the outskirts of the town late last night, police said. The suspected assailant, Narendar Reddy, is also believed to have ended his life.
The half-burnt bodies of Siri (9), Akshaya (6) and Kushi (4) were found at an isolated place near a private engineering college in the town. It was not clear whether they were burnt alive or killed first and burnt later. Police shifted the bodies to the government hospital for autopsy. The victims are the children of Ganga Reddy, Sai Reddy and Raji Reddy respectively.
The ghastly crime sent shivers down the spines of many and a pal of gloom descended on Gangastan locality, where the three children used to live. Their parents were inconsolable and a large number of relatives and friends visited the colony to express their sympathies.
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Police suspect Narendar Reddy’s involvement in the crime as the car he used for taking the children; his footwear and a watch were found on the Godavari bridge. A search was on to trace him, according to Deputy SP S. Anil Kumar.
The 35-year-old Narendar Reddy, a close relative of the children, used to live in Raghupati Reddy’s house after his parents died.
Belonging to Dhoopally village of Renjal mandal, Raghupathi’s sons and their families came to Nizamabad on Wednesday to attend a wedding. Meanwhile, Sai Reddy’s wife fell sick and was hospitalised.
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Finding that there were no elders at home, Narendar Reddy is stated have taken the children out with him. He reportedly told some relatives that he was taking them to the hospital. He had also called Mr. Raghupathi Reddy and told him that the children were with him.
The motive behind the crime was not yet established.