Kothagudem: Suspicious death of contractor sparks protests in Yellandu

The suspicious death of contractor Gadiparthi Srinivasa Rao in Khammam district sparked protests in Yellandu. His family alleged he was duped of Rs 2 crore by former municipal chairman Dammalapati Venkateswara Rao and held him responsible for the suicide

Kothagudem: The suspicious death of contractor Gadiparthi Srinivasa Rao (50) triggered protests by his family members at Yellandu in the district on Saturday. He allegedly died by suicide after consuming pesticide.

Tension prevailed for some time as Srinivasa Rao’s family members brought his body to the residence of former municipal chairman Dammalapati Venkateswara Rao and staged a protest. In anger, the protestors damaged a car and other property at the residence.

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Srinivasa Rao of Motlagudem village in Karepally mandal of Khammam district had carried out several contract works in Yellandu. He was the brother-in-law of Venkateswara Rao.

They had financial dealings related to contract works, and a dispute had been going on for the past several months. On Friday, a panchayat was held in Khammam in the presence of elders to resolve the issue.

Srinivasa Rao was said to be upset as he was allegedly cheated by the former municipal chairman. He left home on Friday night and was found dead in his car at his agricultural fields in Motlagudem on Saturday morning.

His family members held the former municipal chairman responsible for his death. The contractor’s brother Gadiparthi Venkateswara Rao told the media that the ex-municipal chairman duped the deceased to the tune of Rs 2 crore.

He further alleged that the former municipal chairman and his brother D Prasada Rao threatened to kill Srinivasa Rao during the panchayat in Khammam.

Yellandu DSP Chandra Bhanu and CI T Suresh along with their staff rushed to the spot. They asked the protestors to withdraw and resolve the matter through talks. The contractor’s wife Rama lodged a complaint with Karepally police in connection with his death.