Hyderabad: Unidentified gunmen shot dead CPI leader Chandu Rathod in Malakpet

Hyderabad: CPI leader Chandu Rathod was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Shalivahana Nagar Park in Malakpet on Tuesday.

The attackers, who arrived in a white Swift car around 7.30 am, first threw chilli powder on him before opening fire, killing him on the spot.

Attackers arrive in car and flee after shooting

According to police, 3-4 assailants carried out the attack. After sprinkling chilli powder to incapacitate Rathod, they fired multiple rounds as he tried to run, leaving him dead at the scene. The attackers then fled in their vehicle before locals could react.

Family points to political rivalry

Rathod’s wife alleged that her husband had an ongoing enmity with Rajesh, a CPI (ML) leader from Devaruppala. Police are probing this angle to ascertain if political rivalry was the motive behind the murder.

Police investigation underway

Senior officials from the South East Zone rushed to the spot along with forensic teams. Evidence was collected from the crime scene, and the body was shifted for postmortem examination.

A murder case has been registered, and special teams have been formed to identify and nab the killers. Police said further details will be revealed as the investigation progresses.