VIJAYAWADA: The killing of three persons of a family on NH 16 at Peda Avutupalli on Wednesday is said to be the result of a decade-old dispute between two families of Pinakadimi village of Pedavegi mandal in West Godavari district that started with a ‘marriage’.
According to sources, Sivaramakrishna, son of Kuraparti Nagaraju, was married to the daughter of Govindu 10 years ago. Later, the couple got separated following marital disputes, triggering differences between the two families.
Govindu is the elder brother of Durga Rao, who owned the JK Palace lodge in Eluru. Durga Rao was murdered on April 6 this year near Pinakadimi village.
Gandham Maraiah and Gandham Pagidi Maraiah, who were shot dead Wednesday along with their father Nageswara Rao, were the accused in the murder of Durga Rao. The Gandhams are close relatives of Kurapati Nagaraju.
West Godavari police sources said that the Gandhams had made a fortune through their astrology practice in Mumbai, Bihar, UP and even in some foreign countries.
“Three well-dressed persons armed with pistols blocked our car and started firing,” said car driver P Naresh, who ran away from the scene and surrendered at the One Town police station in Eluru.
The maroon colour SUV in which the killers fled was recorded in the CCTVs around 10.15 am at Pottipadu tollgate, just one km away from the shooting spot. The car number, AP20 AL 5432, was found to be fake.
It is said that the killers, a gang of six from Bihar, stayed at the Royal Humpy hotel at Hanuman Junction for the past three days. They reportedly left the car at the hotel and fled. A pistol is said to be found in their room.