Shahabuddin, key accused in Anil murder case, arrested; another still at large

Shahabuddin, accused of murdering Congress leader Marelli Anil, was arrested in Medak. He reportedly learned to use a pistol via YouTube and fired four bullets at close range. Another accused, Chinna, remains absconding as police continue the search.

Medak: One of the two accused who were on the run in the murder case of Congress leader Marelli Anil was arrested on Tuesday, a day after the Medak police cracked the case and took five others into custody.

The arrested accused, identified as MD Shahabuddin (23), shot Anil dead on the night of July 14 at Variguntham in Kulcharam mandal using a 0.32 pistol procured from Nawabgunj in Bihar.

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Shahabuddin, who worked at a garage owned by the second accused Nagaraju, had no prior training in firearms. Medak SP DV Srinivas Rao said Shahabuddin had learned to operate the weapon by watching YouTube videos. Without any real training, he practised just two live rounds—both fired into Anil at close range. All four bullets struck their target, piercing the victim’s body.

Another accused, Chinna, who was also involved in the murder, is still absconding. Chinna, a native of Vijayawada, also worked at the same Medchal-based garage along with Shahabuddin.

Police said efforts are on to trace and arrest Chinna.