How UPI payment for a cap helped Saidabad cops find accused in attempt to murder case

Hyderabad: Two persons were arrested for their alleged involvement in an attempt to murder case in Saidabad. The case involved a person working at Bhulakshmi Maata Temple, Saidabad, being attacked with a liquid that caused him severe burns. The police have identified the persons as Raikod Hariputhra (31) and Aripirala Raja Shekhar (41).

Case details

On March 14, the police received a recorded audio statement from a person named Chintala Narsing Rao, who was admitted to Yashoda Hospital in Malakpet. In this statement, Rao explained the alleged attack on him.

He said that he is living with his wife, Vimala, in Saidabad and has been a committee member of the Sri Bhulakshmi Maata Temple and Goshala in Dobi Ghat Road for the last 12 years. Every day at 6 am, he opens the temple doors, and after all the Archana, Pooja and Abhishekams are done, he locks the temple doors at around 10:30 pm. He also takes care of all the temple-related donations and accounts. When someone donates money to the temple and cowshed, he takes the money from them and issues them appropriate receipts.

On March 14, while Narsing Rao was sitting at the reception table inside the temple, an unidentified male, approximately 35 years old, wearing a yellow T-shirt, mask and a cap, approached him. He introduced himself as Naresh and enquired about the temple’s Annadanam (food distribution) program.

After a brief conversation, another person asked Narsing Rao to write an annadanam receipt in his name. While Narsing Rao was writing, the person suddenly poured an unidentified liquid on Narsing Rao’s scalp and fled, quickly saying ‘Happy Holi.’

Narsing Rao immediately experienced a burning sensation on his scalp, face, eyes and neck, and smoke began emanating from his scalp. He was rushed to Yashoda Hospital in Malakpet by ambulance. The assault resulted in burns to Narsing Rao’s scalp, face, eyes and neck. Narsing Rao requested that the authorities take necessary action against an unidentified assailant who intentionally poured an unknown liquid on him, tried to kill him and caused severe burns.

During the investigation, six teams collaborated with the SEZ Task Force, Hyderabad, to identify and apprehend the absconding accused in this case.

Cops find accused based on UPI payment made by accused to buy cap

The teams reviewed nearly 400 CCTV footages, tracing the sequence of events from the scene of the offence to the location where A-1 was apprehended. Upon further examination of the CCTV footage, it was observed that after committing the offence, A-1 fled on a two-wheeler. The footage from various entry and exit routes, including Ramalayam Kaman, Dhobi Ghat Road, Saidabad Main Road, Chanchalguda, Chaderghat Main Road, Malakpet Main Road, Chaderghat Police Station, Victoria Ground, MJ Market, Gandhi Bhavan, Ek Minar Mosque, Intermediate Board Circle, Mehdipatnam, and Toli Chowki were analysed. It was also discovered that A-1 purchased a cap, which he wears at during the offence, at Gandhi Bhavan Metro Station.

Upon inquiry, the cap seller identified A-1 and revealed that the cap payment was made through PhonePay. The seller provided A-1’s phone number upon request. Further analysis of A-1’s Call Detail Records (CDRs) provided clues about A-2. Based on technical evidence, including CDR analysis and CCTV footage, A-1 was apprehended at his residence in Shaikpet, Hyderabad. During interrogation, A-1, identified as Raikod Hariputhr, confessed to having committed the offence under the instructions of A-2.

Based on A-1’s confession, A-2, Raja Shekhar Sharma, was apprehended at Bhulaxmi Temple, Saidabad. During the interrogation, A-2 has admitted that due to personal disputes, he planned to harm the victim, Chintala Narsimha Rao, by using a chemical substance.

He hired A-1 for Rs 2,000, paying Rs 1,000 in advance through PhonePay. After committing the offence, A-1 fled on his bike to evade capture. A-2 threw the chemical substance bottle at a nearby open place, which was later recovered by the police. WhatsApp conversations and calls between the accused before and after the offence had corroborated their involvement.

It is, therefore, established that A-1 and A-2 had committed an offence under Sections 109, 124(2), 333 read with 49 BNS.