Khammam Suicide case: TRS Kothagudem MLA's son Raghavendra arrested

Hyderabad: The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MLA Vanama Venkateshwara Rao's son Vanama Raghavender Rao has been arrested by Bhadradri Kothagudem police on Friday evening.

Bhadradri Kothagudem Assistant Superintendent of Police P Rohit Raj confirmed to the NewsMeter that Raghavender Rao was taken into custody near the Dammapeta Mandal border.

It may be recalled that the victim, M. Ramakrishna, set himself and his wife Srilakshmi and his minor daughters Sahitya and Sahita on fire on 3 January at his house. In a short video, Ramakrishna alleged that Raghavendra Rao had ordered him to come to Hyderabad with his wife. "He told me this was the only way to solve my problems," Ramakrishna said in his last video that was discovered on his phone by the police on 5 January.

Before the incident, Ramakrishna left a suicide note and video explaining the unfair behavior of TRS MLA Vanama Venkateshwar Rao. Similarly, he had also explained that his mother and sister had harassed him despite his unstable financial situation.

Kothagudem SP Sunil Dutt further informed that Ramakrishna's Mother and Sister will be arrested soon.

This is the third case booked on Raghavendra Rao. Earlier the Kothagudem police confirmed that two other cases under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) and Section 307 (attempt to murder) have been filed in the last two years in Palvoncha against MLA Vanama Venkateshwara Rao's son Vanama Raghavendra Rao.

The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has suspended Vanama Raghavender Rao alias Raghava from the party with immediate effect after he was accused of abetting the suicide of a family in Kothagudem recently.

TRS general secretary Palla Rajeshwar Reddy issued orders suspending Raghava, the son of party MLA Vanama Venkateshwara Rao, following directions from party supremo and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.

In the video, Ramakrishna explains that Raghavendra asked him to bring his wife to him. He said he was going to take the drastic step in fear of what Raghavendra would do to him and his family. "Raghavendra ordered me to bring my wife, without the kids, and come to Hyderabad. Then, I will solve your issue, he said," Ramakrishna said in the video.

Ramakrishna's second daughter, who had received 80 percent burns and was admitted to the hospital, passed away on Thursday.

Mr. Datt said for several months, Ramakrishna had been suffering financially and also had a property dispute with his mother and sister. "When he took the property dispute case to Raghavendra, the dispute was settled. However, Ramakrishna later felt that the verdict was unfair and he spoke up. That's where the problems began between the two," he said.

Ramakrishna, in the video alleged that Raghavendra had threatened him saying he would ensure that he won't get even a single penny from the assets if he did not send his wife to him.