Activist who filed complaint against KCR murdered; police say property dispute but kin claim politically motivated

“We are looking at all possible angles,” the SP said. The victim’s family have claimed the murder was politically motivated. “A few members of his family have raised suspicion over the motive. We are looking into the allegations,” the SP said.

Bhupalpally police have registered an FIR against five people in connection with the murder. The accused named in the FIR are Sanjeev Renkuntla, Srimanth Pingili, Kumar More, Kumar Kothuri, and Komuraiah Renukuntla.

The FIR against the accused has been filed under sections 191(2), 191(3), 61(2), 126(2), and 103(2) read with 190 of the BNS.

Rajalingamurthy had filed a case in connection with the collapse of a barrage of Kaleswaram lift irrigation project in October 2023. Some piers of the Medigadda Barrage had collapsed, leading to questions about structural flaws in the project, which was considered state-of-the-art by Rao’s Telangana government. KCR was Telangana Chief Minister from 2014 to 2023.

In October 2023, Rajalingamurthy accused KCR, Harish Rao and other senior officials of having misappropriated crores. He first approached the Bhupalpally police to file a complaint against KCR and others and then approached a local court when his complaint was not taken.

The Bhupalpally district court had issued notices to KCR and other accused in the case. In December 2024, both KCR and Harish Rao filed a petition to quash the case in the High Court, which was rejected.

According to Bhupalpally police, the murder took place on Wednesday evening, a day before the Telangana High Court was scheduled to hear the case related to the barrage collapse.

Rajalingamurthy, who was travelling on his bike, was attacked by assailants who had been waiting for him at the Telangana Coal Mine Workers’ Association office in Bhupalpally town. The assailants waylaid his vehicle and allegedly stabbed him multiple times. Though he was taken to a nearby district hospital, he was declared dead on arrival.