KTR alleges political conspiracy in Sircilla weaving worker's murder
The murder of a 50-year-old weaving worker in Sircilla has escalated into a political confrontation, with BRS Working President and MLA KT Rama Rao accusing local Congress leaders of allegedly orchestrating the killing for political mileage and attempting to portray it as a suicide.
Vengala Venkatesham, who worked at a weaving unit in BY Nagar, went missing on August 6.
His body was found under suspicious circumstances in the hillocks near Ragudu on the outskirts of Sircilla town on August 8.
Following a complaint from his wife, Sulochana, police registered a case and launched an investigation.
According to Sircilla DSP K Nagendra Chary, the probe established that weaving unit owner Kusuma Ganesh allegedly killed Venkatesham.
Police said Venkatesham frequently remained absent from work without informing Ganesh, leading to repeated friction between the two.
His wife had also reportedly argued with Ganesh when he threatened to remove Venkatesham from the job.
The case acquired a political dimension because Venkatesham and Sulochana had earlier accused municipal vice-chairman Darla Sandeep of demanding Rs 1 lakh for sanctioning an Indiramma house.
A case was registered against Sandeep over the allegation. Police said Ganesh allegedly believed that suspicion would fall on Sandeep if Venkatesham was killed.
Investigators also linked the alleged plan to Ganesh's friend Margam Laxman, who had earlier lost to Sandeep.
According to the police investigation, Ganesh allegedly served liquor mixed with dyeing chemicals to Venkatesham on August 6. CCTV footage and technical evidence subsequently helped police trace the accused.
The political controversy intensified on August 8, when Congress leaders allegedly claimed that Venkatesham had died by suicide following harassment by the vice-chairman.
They also attempted to stage a dharna at Sandeep's residence with the body, but police foiled the attempt.
With Sandeep's role ruled out in the investigation, BRS activists led by district president Thota Agaiah staged a dharna at Ambedkar Chowk on Tuesday. The protesters accused Congress leaders of attempting to link the murder to BRS leaders and municipal members and demanded action against those responsible.
BRS Working President and MLA KT Rama Rao has now strongly criticised the alleged handling of the case, describing Venkatesham's death as a case of 'political foul play'.
'Local Sircilla Congress leaders orchestrated the murder for political mileage and attempted to cover it up as a suicide,' KT Rama Rao said.
KTR said the tragedy had left Venkatesham's mother, wife and 11-year-old daughter destitute. He also linked the alleged motive to the victim's efforts to secure approval for a newly sanctioned house.
The BRS leader further questioned the arrests in the case. 'While five individuals were supposedly arrested, only two were remanded, and three were given station bail due to pressure from the real masterminds protecting them,' he alleged.
KTR also announced that his party would step in to support Venkatesham's family if the government failed to provide a house.
'My party will build a house for the family if the District Collector/government fails to sanction one,' he said.
He said the BRS had already deposited a Rs 3 lakh fixed deposit in the name of Venkatesham's 11-year-old daughter and provided immediate financial assistance to the family.
KTR also pledged long-term educational support for the child, saying, 'I will take full responsibility for the young girl's schooling up to the 10th grade and fund any further higher education she wishes to pursue.'
The allegations have added a fresh political layer to a murder case that began with the disappearance of a weaving worker and has now become a flashpoint between the BRS and Congress in Sircilla.
While the police investigation has attributed the killing to weaving unit owner Kusuma Ganesh, the BRS has continued to demand scrutiny of the alleged political dimensions surrounding the case.