VIJAYAWADA: A retired employee of Dr. Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station (Dr. NTTPS) was found dead under suspicious circumstances in his house at Kanuru village of Penamaluru mandal on Sunday afternoon, said Penamaluru circle inspector K Damodhar. The bizarre incident came to light after neighbours complained to police about foul smell emanating from the deceased’s apartment around 10 pm.
According to police, the deceased was identified as Kolluru Koteswara Rao (70) and living with his 30-year-old mentally-challenged son Meenakshi Ramalingeswara Rao in an apartment in Kanuru village. After death of Koteswara Rao’s wife a few years ago, the father and son were rarely visited by relatives.
During preliminary investigation, police said Koteswara Rao had died a week ago and neither had relatives nor neighbours knowledge of the incident.
After they forcibly entered the house, police personnel were stunned to see Ramalingeswara Rao performing rituals and worshipping beside his father’s decomposed body.
“Initially, we suspected that the son killed Koteswara Rao, but the autopsy report clarified that it was a natural death and there were no external injuries on the body. Koteswara Rao was suffering from heart-related ailments and he might have died a natural death,” Damodhar said.
When asked why the son could not inform about his father’s death to neighbours and relatives, police said, “Even Ramalingeswara Rao was not aware that his father had died. He was under the impression that Koteswara Rao was sleeping and performed rituals to wake him up.” Meanwhile, police have registered a case under section 174 of CrPC (suspicious death). The investigation in the case is underway.
Son performs ritual to wake father
During preliminary investigation, police said Koteswara Rao had died a week ago and neither relatives nor neighbours had knowledge of the incident. After they forcibly entered the house, police said they were surprised to see Ramalingeswara performing rituals beside his father’s body