VIJAYAWADA: Four days after Devarapalli Gagarin, a 54-year-old financier, was set ablaze in broad daylight at his office, Vijayawada police have reportedly arrested the two accused–Madala Suresh and his brother Sudhakar.
The police said the accused were nabbed after they approached a vernacular media house in Suryaraopet fearing arrest on Tuesday. The brothers absconded after the incident and took shelter at one of their relative’s house, according to sources.
However, the police officials who are investigating the case maintained silence over the arrests made.
On Friday, the duo set Devarapalli Gagarin on fire by pouring petrol on him. He had suffered over 80 per cent burn injuries and was admitted to Andhra Hospital for treatment.
The victim breathed his last after battling three days for his life on Monday. After his death, the police altered the case to Section 302 of IPC.
While still being treated, the victm had given a statement to the police in which he said Madala Suresh barged into his office on Friday, poured petrol over him and lit him on fire. When neighbors tried to catch Suresh, he fled the scene.
Post which, Vijayawada city Commissioner of Police (CP) Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao launched a manhunt and formed four special police teams who were sent to all the places where family and relatives of the accused lived.
“Based on Gagarin’s statement recorded on the day of the incident (Friday), we started investigating into the case and took the mother of the accused brothers, Visranthamma, into our custody,” said the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP- South zone) GV Ramana Murthy. Visranthamma told the cops that Gagarin was attacked over property dispute.