The Vizag city police have successfully cracked a four-year-old murder case, arresting two individuals involved in the killing of rowdy-sheeter Ganagalla Srinu. The crime occurred on April 22, 2021, when the 45-year-old, also known as Mental Srinu, was discovered brutally murdered near Kancharapalem Mettu. His body had been mutilated, with his private parts specifically targeted.
The accused in the case were identified as Lalam Ganesh, a scrap thief from Jangvanipalem in Anakapalle, and Komara Tarakeswara Rao, a resident of Pedagantyada in Vizag. According to City Police Commissioner Shanka Brata Bagchi, Ganagalla, who was involved in scrap theft and other crimes around the port area, had an ongoing dispute with Ganesh, another scrap thief.
The conflict began when Ganagalla’s brother, Ganagalla Thotayya, stole a mobile phone and sold it to Ganesh, which was later traced back to him by the Gopalapatnam crime police. Thotayya was arrested, and his bail cost amounted to Rs10,000. Believing Ganesh and his associate Srinu were behind his brother’s arrest, Ganagalla demanded reimbursement from them. On April 16, 2021, he forcibly took Rs4,000 from Ganesh, who sought revenge.
On the night of April 21, 2021, Ganesh, along with his accomplice Tarakeswara Rao, ambushed Ganagalla. The two men stabbed him to death and mutilated his body before disposing of it.
The case was closed in August 2022 due to lack of progress. However, Vizag police recently revisited unsolved cases, leading to the reopening of this investigation. A special team led by Inspector Shaik Hussain took charge and successfully apprehended the accused.
