Murders, Scams, and Political Drama Fuel Public Safety Fears
A disturbing surge in high-profile crimes including a brutal, YouTube-inspired murder, a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam, and a spate of Dasara burglaries has gripped Khammam city, raising serious concerns about public safety. The spike in offenses follows an already troubling trend of rising crime rates documented in the police’s 2024 annual report, and comes amid a politically charged incident involving a local Congress corporator and his wife.
Grisly ‘Murder-for-Gain’ Uncovered
In a shocking development last week, Khammam police arrested three individuals for the gruesome murder of Gatla Venkateshwarlu, a 40-year-old real-estate broker. The meticulous plot was orchestrated by the prime accused, Parimi Ashok, an M.Pharm graduate deep in financial debt. Investigators revealed that Ashok studied online videos on how to dismember a body before killing Venkateshwarlu for his valuables in September. After the murder, Ashok and two accomplices dismembered the victim and disposed of the remains in a garbage dump. The crime was uncovered when police discovered human remains, leading to the perpetrators’ arrest on October 9. Police confirmed Ashok’s severe financial hardship drove him to befriend and subsequently rob the victim, meticulously planning the crime and disposal to cover his tracks.
Cybercrime Crisis: The ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam
Khammam is also grappling with an escalating threat from cyber fraud. The arrest of three individuals from Andhra Pradesh in July for a “digital arrest” scam highlighted the problem. The fraudsters successfully duped a retired Khammam teacher into paying Rs. 59 lakh after falsely convincing him his Aadhaar card was linked to illegal activities and threatening him with a sham “digital arrest.” This incident reflects a wider pattern identified in the 2024 annual crime report, which noted a significant 61% surge in cybercrime cases across the region.
Political Conflict Involves Corporator
Adding to the city’s unrest, Congress corporator Mikkilineni Manjula and her husband, Mikkilineni Narendra, were involved in a widely reported incident on Sunday, October 12. Manjula reportedly staged a protest, alleging she and her husband were attacked. She accused the Khammam police of siding with “goons” and of assaulting her during an arrest, claiming police refused to disclose her location. News reports suggest a property dispute between two brothers may be the underlying cause of the conflict.
Dasara Burglars Target Empty Homes
Even the festive season is no longer safe. In late September, a gang of eight masked robbers was caught on CCTV attempting to target empty houses in YSR Colony during the Dasara festival. While the robbers fled after neighbors raised an alarm, the incident prompted police to issue a public safety advisory, warning residents to take extra precautions during holidays.
Annual Report Paints a Grim Picture
These recent high-profile cases underscore a worrying trend of increased offenses across the board, as detailed in the Police Department’s 2024 annual report:
- Property offenses surged by 50.2%.
- Economic offenses, including cheating and forgery, rose by 63%.
- Crimes against women increased by 10%.
- Cheating cases saw a drastic spike of 112.3%.
While police reported an improved detection rate thanks to CCTV and specialized clues teams, the rate of recovering stolen property has unfortunately dropped.
Deputy Editor, Prime Post
With an illustrious career spanning 29 years in the dynamic field of journalism, Anand Gantela is a seasoned professional who has made significant contributions to both print and electronic media. His wealth of experience reflects a deep understanding of the ever-evolving landscape of news reporting.
