Congress leader Marelli Anil was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Telangana’s Medak district. Anil, who was the district Scheduled Caste Cell Secretary, is believed to have been shot dead by some unidentified miscreants, after police investigation revealed he had bullet wounds on his body.
The incident took place when Anil, a resident of Paitara village, was reportedly returning home from Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad. It was initially believed that he died in a road accident, but police launched a probe when further inquiry revealed gunshot wounds on his body. He was found dead on Sunday near the Variguntam substation in Kolcharam mandal, India Today reported.
Police said two bullets pierced the Congress leader's right shoulder. He also had injuries on his back and hands. The accident theory did not seem to fit when bullet casings were also recovered at the scene, adding to the suspicion of murder.
It is being suspected that shots may have been fired from close range while Anil was either seated inside as there were no bullet marks on the vehicle. Police found bloodstains on the car seat, and the vehicle was seen veering off the road into fields following the incident, the report said.
After being informed about the incident, Kolcharam Sub-Inspector Ghouse visited the spot and launched an investigation. The body was then sent to the Medak mortuary for post-mortem.
According to a report by Telangana Today, police are suspecting that the leader would have been killed due to real estate business dispute. However, his family has said that Anil did not have enmity with anyone.
Several Dalit organisations in the state have demanded a fair and transparent probe into the circumstances surrounding Anil’s death.
Police are also suspecting that the incident was a planned murder. Efforts are underway to identify those responsible and find out the motive behind the killing.