ANANTAPUR: Noted real estate businessman and lawyer N Suresh Gupta (45), who had been kidnapped by unidentified miscreants a couple of days ago from a petrol filling station in the town, has been found dead, the body charred.
The charred body was found today in the bushes on the outskirts of Adiligollapalle in Settur mandal by some shepherds, who informed the police. Police immediately rushed to the spot and, after conducting a preliminary inquiry, identified the body as that of Suresh Gupta.
According to the police, they got the information about the kidnap only yesterday evening and immediately launched a search-andrescue operation. Gupta’s wife, Jayashree, is related to Pothula Suresh, a close of associate of slain TDP MLA Paritala Ravi.
Suresh Gupta, who had moved over to Hyderabad six months ago, came here on Saturday along with his friend Srinivasulu, his relatives said. Suresh, who studied law and was son of N Jagadoddharaka Gupta, a noted advocate in the district, became a real estate dealer instead of pursuing law as a profession.
During the course of his career as realtor, he had made several enemies and was even accused in a case of murder of another real estate businessman Rangaiah Gupta.
There were 10 criminal and civil cases pending against him, according to sources.
Eight days ago he took part in a `panchayat’ over a real estate deal in the house of former MLA Narayana Reddy.
Forensic experts visited the spot and took samples of the body, which was burnt more than 80 per cent.
Later, the body was shifted to hospital for autopsy.
Anantapur DSP Satyanarayana Rao registered a case and investigation is in progress.