Machilipatnam doctor’s murder: husband, driver held; financial disputes is motive, say cops

Machilpatnam: A month after Dr Macherla Radha was battered to death at her house in Machilipatnam of Krishna district, the police have cracked the case. The police alleged that her husband, Dr Macherla Lokanatha Maheswara Rao and driver Janardhan, committed the murder. The two have been arrested.

Maheswara Rao is a top paediatrician and ran Venkateshwara mother-child hospital in Javarpet. The couple’s house was on the top floor of the same building. Dr Macherla Radha was found dead in the house on July 24.

According to Joshua, superintendent of police of Krishna district, the couple constantly fought over financial issues. This might have prompted Dr Maheswara Rao to kill his wife, suspect police.

The police said that the murder was planned three months ago. “As part of the plan, when the CCTV cameras in the building stopped working due to a short circuit three months ago, the doctor left them unrepaired deliberately,” the police said.

The doctor also brought the driver into his murder plan by offering him Rs 30 lakhs and Dr Radha’s gold. On July 25, the duo decided to use a wrench used for oxygen cylinders to kill Radha, said police.

“At around 1:25 pm, Dr Maheswara Rao and the driver executed their plan. While the driver held the doctor, Dr Maheswara Rao hit her with the wrench on the head. Later to cover the evidence, they sprinkled chilli powder in the house,” said the SP.

At 10:30 pm, Dr Maheswara Rao informed police that unidentified men entered his house, killed his wife and fled with gold ornaments. He did to this take any suspicion off him, said police.