Police have arrested three people in connection with the murder of cab driver Nelamarri Rajashekhar, whose body was found near Rudraram in Patancheru, Telangana. Two other suspects are still absconding, police said.
According to the investigation, the accused allegedly booked Rajashekhar’s cab in Secunderabad on the night of September 10, claiming they wanted to travel towards Mumbai. Police said the group had already planned to take control of the vehicle.
Rajashekhar, who worked as a cab driver and also transported IT employees, picked up the passengers near the Swimming Pool Bus Stop area in Secunderabad. After the vehicle reached the Patancheru-Rudraram area, the accused allegedly attacked him.
Police said the driver was strangled with a towel and killed at around 4 a.m. on September 11 near an under construction road overbridge on NH-65. His body was allegedly left beside the road, while the accused fled in his car.
Alleged Gold-Shop Robbery Plan
- During the investigation, police allegedly found that the objective was not limited to stealing the cab.
- According to police, the group had allegedly planned to travel to Mumbai and target gold shops. Investigators said the stolen cab was intended to be used for the planned operation.
- Police said the five suspects had become acquainted in Secunderabad and allegedly formed a group with the intention of making money through criminal activities.
Car Abandoned Near Kohir
- After the murder, the accused allegedly drove the stolen cab towards Maharashtra. However, the vehicle reportedly developed a mechanical problem near Kohir.
- The suspects allegedly abandoned the car near Golden Dhaba and continued towards Zaheerabad. Police later recovered the vehicle and other material linked to the investigation.
Three Arrested, Two Absconding
Police have arrested:
- Ghodake Rahul, 28
- Suraj Shashikanth Tawade, 29
- Bamble Raju Ramachandra, 33
According to police, all three arrested suspects are from Maharashtra. Two other suspects, reportedly from Solapur and Delhi, remain absconding.
Special teams have been formed to trace the remaining accused.
Police also recovered Rajashekhar’s mobile phone and other material during the investigation. CCTV footage and cab booking details reportedly helped investigators identify the suspects.
Case Registered Under BNS Sections
- The case was initially registered as a murder case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police later added provisions relating to dacoity and criminal conspiracy, including Sections 310 and 61(2), along with Section 3(5).
- The arrested accused were produced before the court, while the investigation is continuing.
Publication note: The alleged plan to rob gold shops is based on the police investigation and should not be presented as a court established fact. Terms such as “police said,” “allegedly” and “according to investigators” should be retained when reporting the alleged motive.
