Two special teams have been formed by Guntur Rural SP J Satyanarayana to nab Gurajala TDP MLA Yerapathineni Srinivasa Rao, accused No 3 in the murder of Unnava Narendra, a Congress activist.
A gang of five hired killers attacked and murdered Narendra on November 27. Narendra’s brother Unnava Srinivasa Rao lodged a complaint on November 28 suspecting the role of the TDP MLA. Narendra joined the Congress by deserting the TDP and became a follower of MLC TGV Krishna Reddy.
Police registered a case against the MLA under Sections 120-B and 109 of the IPC. Twelve persons, including four close followers of the MLA, have already been arrested in connection with the murder.
The Piduguralla police have collected substantial evidence against the MLA in connection with the murder, said a senior official. Srinivasa Rao has been absconding for the last two days and his gunmen informed the SP about the disappearance of the MLA from the constituency.
The police suspect that the MLA has gone to Karnataka to apply for anticipatory bail as his arrest appeared imminent.
One police team went to Hyderabad and the other to Karnataka to trace the MLA. Gurajala DSP Ravula Giridhar is overseeing the investigation.
Meanwhile, TDP leaders in the district took the matter to the notice of party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday. Some TDP leaders also met the SP in connection with the case.