Chandu Rathod, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and a member of the party’s Hyderabad city committee, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Tuesday morning during a walk at Shalivahana Nagar Park in Hyderabad.
According to the Malakpet police, a group of three to four attackers arrived in a car and opened fire on Rathod around 7:30 AM, while he was walking with his wife and son. Multiple rounds were fired, and Rathod died on the spot. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
A police team, including senior officials and a forensic unit, reached the site and initiated an investigation. CCTV footage from the vicinity is being reviewed to identify and track the suspects.
Police recovered three fired rounds and two unfired rounds from the scene of the offence. "Based on the recovery of the rounds, it seemed only one weapon was used in the firing", the DCP told reporters.
The CPI leader, was himself an accused in a 2022 murder case registered at the LB Nagar Police Station. However, police confirmed that he had not lodged any complaint regarding threats to his life.
Rathod originally hailed from Narsaipalli in Balmuru mandal of Nagarkurnool district and had been residing in Chaitanyapuri, Hyderabad. He was also involved in the real estate business, prompting investigators to explore a possible property dispute as a motive for the killing.
According to PTI, Rathod's wife informed the police that he had an ongoing feud with Rajesh, a member of the CPI (ML) from Devaruppala, suggesting that the rivalry might be linked to the attack.
