Vikarabad DTO among 8 held; accused demanded Rs 1 Cr, land as `supari'

Suryapet Police have arrested eight people including Vikarabad District Transport Officer (DTO) for allegedly killing a 21-year-old man.

Praveen was found dead outside a temple in Thimmapuram Village, Suryapet on July 15.

Vikarabad District Transport Officer Bhadru Naik is amongst the eight arrested. The accused had demanded Rs 1 Crore and one acre of land for committing the crime.

Praveen had reportedly gone missing on July 13. His wife stated that he had left the house along with his friend Harish. She filed a complaint with the police on July 14.

Suryapet Rural CI Vittal Reddy took up the investigation and arrested eight suspects on July 22. Harish was also arrested.

On July 14, Harish invited Praveen to a party where all the accused were present. Praveen was strangulated with a belt. The accused dumped his body near Thimmapuram village.

According to the police, Praveen was among those who were hired by DTO to kill his brother Veeru Naik.

The two brothers were not on good terms over a property dispute. According to the police, the two brothers had illegally acquired some lands and Bhadru was not willing to share the profits.

Veeru allegedly threatened to approach ACB against Bhadru. Later he hatched a conspiracy to kill him.

Police said that Veeru Naik survived murder attempts on two different occasions. As per the police, Bhadru suspected that Praveen was helping Veeru escape and hence killed him.