Youth kills friend over threat to leak private photos; 3 held

Hyderabad: A 23-year-old man from Kodad was allegedly bludgeoned to death by his friend after he reportedly threatened to leak private photographs to friends and family. While the main accused is still on the run, police arrested his parents and an associate for allegedly aiding the commission of the offence and helping him evade arrest.

Kodad deputy superintendent of police Srinivas Reddy said the murder took place on the outskirts of a village under Kodad Rural police station limits on May 14. The victim’s body was found by locals the following day in an agricultural field near a hamlet under Kodad police station limits. Police were informed, and the deceased was identified as a graduate from a nearby village.

By analysing the victim’s call data records and CCTV camera footage from various locations, police identified two suspects. One of them, a 20-year-old security guard from Suryapet working in Hyderabad, was arrested on Friday. During questioning, he allegedly confessed that the victim was in a homosexual relationship with the 21-year-old main accused, who also works as a security guard at a private company in Suryapet.

“The victim had taken private photographs of the main accused and, following a minor dispute between them, allegedly threatened to share the images with friends and family. Fearing humiliation, the main accused allegedly conspired with his friend to kill the victim,” the DSP said.

As per the plan, the duo allegedly called the victim to an agricultural field at Ganapavaram village near Kodad on the night of May 14. The accused allegedly attacked him with a boulder, strangled him and slit his throat with a knife, the DSP said.

Based on the statement of co-accused, police also arrested the parents of the main accused for allegedly helping him evade police. Police seized a blood-stained stone, clothes, the knife used in the offence and four mobile phones. A manhunt is underway to nab the absconding accused.