Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Andhra Pradesh Congress chief K Keshava Rao’s son K Venkat, accused of killing his business partner, on Tuesday claimed his friend had committed suicide because of “personal problems”.
Venkat, who is being interrogated by the police in connection with the death of city-based realtor Prashanth Reddy under suspicious circumstances, said he was innocent.
“He (Reddy) was going through personal problems because of his two wives. He was depressed,” he told reporters at the Banjara Hills assistant police commissioner’s office, where he was being questioned. Reddy died of a bullet wound at Venkat’s home in the posh Prashasan Nagar area here on Sunday. The two were said to have been fighting over property matters.
Asked about the murder charge against him, Venkat said: “The truth will come out. I have told everything to the police.”
Amid high drama, Venkat was taken into custody by police on Monday evening at Apollo Hospital where he had got himself admitted on Sunday after his friend was declared dead by doctors.
Denying that he had any differences with Reddy, Venkat said, “He was a good friend of mine. I never imagined that he would end his life in this manner.”
Reddy’s family, including his wife Vilasini, have alleged that he was murdered by the Congress leader’s son and that attempts are being made to “hush-up” the case.
The stae Government has transferred the case to CID for investigation.
But others say the incident is not surprising. People known to be close to Venkat on Monday described him as a “spoilt brat who whipped out weapons at the drop of a hat”.
“Venkat once landed in trouble after he thrashed someone in the US a few years ago. His father had to use all his influence to save him. Venkat always invites trouble and his father hates him for that,” a source close to Venkat’s father said.
“Keshava Rao was very upset with Venkat’s behaviour. Heated arguments would happen often. Fed up with him, Keshava Rao had asked Venkat to leave the house and live separately. A patch-up between them happened about one-and-a-half years ago,” a family friend said.
“The real problem began after he got a license for the weapon a few years ago. During any argument with anyone, he would whip out his revolver and threaten people,” sources said.
They said Venkat was always a controversial figure among his friends and family.
“But his rash behaviour took a turn for the worse after his father became the APCC President. The sudden fame and money went to his head,” they said.
