
HYDERABAD: Notorious criminal Battula Prabhakar (30), who fired two rounds at a Cyberabad police team on Saturday, confessed during questioning that he had planned to kill a person and carry out more than three burglaries at educational institutions in the city.
This was revealed by Madhapur DCP G Vineeth while speaking to the media on Sunday. He stated that Prabhakar had planned burglaries at three educational institutions and intended to kill a former inmate of Visakhapatnam Central Jail, where he was lodged in 2022.
The police seized three country-made guns, six magazines, 451 live rounds and other items from his possession. Vineeth added that the CCS Madhapur team not only arrested a dangerous criminal but also prevented several crimes by apprehending him.
Watched YouTube videos on how to dodge cops
For the past two years, cops from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have been searching for Prabhakar. He wears masks and hand gloves while committing offences. He also watched YouTube videos on how to avoid being apprehended by the police.
Meanwhile, Cyberabad DCP (Crimes) K Narasimha said Prabhakar was arrested in 2020 and served time in Visakhapatnam Central Jail. During his incarceration, he was allegedly humiliated by another inmate, who remains in jail.
“Prabhakar planned to kill that person upon his release. He travelled to Bihar twice and procured three firearms to eliminate him. The accused has been carrying weapons for the last eight months,” Narasimha added.
Prabhakar was wanted in 23 cases
“He collected this ammunition for practice. A few days ago, when one of his guns malfunctioned, he procured another weapon,” he added.
Since escaping from jail on March 23, 2022, Prabhakar has been wanted in 23 cases, including one for escaping custody, one for firing at police and 21 for house burglaries at educational institutions during nighttime. He is accused in 11 cases in Telangana and 12 in Andhra Pradesh. A school dropout, he studied only up to Class 9. “Prabhakar began committing thefts in 2013. After 2020, he specifically targeted top educational institutions, conducting detailed reconnaissance before carrying out burglaries,” Narasimha stated.
The police had been searching for him for over a month. During this period, he stayed with a software employee in Gowlidoddi, near the American Consulate in Hyderabad. He has been named accused in around 80 cases, having been arrested in 66 and still wanted in 23 criminal cases.
During his arrest, the CCS Madhapur team, including three head constables, attempted to apprehend him. In response, Prabhakar fired two rounds, injuring Head Constable Venkat Reddy in the leg. However, Venkat is out of danger.