In a swift breakthrough, Dharmavaram police arrested Balakrishna Reddy (38), a local merchant, within 24 hours of the brutal daylight murder of 32-year-old Lokendra on September 4. The incident occurred in the Kothapeta locality of Sri Sathya Sai district.
Superintendent of Police V. Ratna revealed at a press conference that the killing was motivated by revenge. Last year, Lokendra had fatally attacked Srinivasulu, a garlic merchant and Balakrishna’s father, during a drunken brawl in Dharmavaram.
Balakrishna, who had harbored resentment over his father’s death, seized the opportunity to retaliate and struck the fatal blow to Lokendra, police said. Authorities confirmed that the accused had been taken into custody and further investigation was underway.
