Key man in Kanchi case surrenders

Earlier in the day, some journalists from Tamil Nadu and a Telugu satellite television channel managed to interview Appu in which he claimed he was innocent.

‘‘I was implicated in the case. I am in no way connected to the killing of Sankararaman. At this stage, I am not in a position to say who was behind the conspiracy,’’ Appu told the mediapersons.

According to Appu’s family, he had sent feelers to police about a fortnight ago that he wanted to give himself up. He had only condition: the police should guarantee his safety.

His two brothers-in-law Chengalrayalu and Ramachandra Reddy were said to have mediated the surrender. After getting an assurance from the Tamil Nadu police, they worked out the details.

Accordingly, a team led by Kancheepuram SP Premkumar today reached Appu’s farm house at Balakrishnapuram. A team of Chittoor district police was also present.

The Tamil Nadu police spoke to Appu’s family for over two hours. Appu later entered the house and he is said to have been questioned by the Tamil Nadu police for another hour. Later, the police team, along with Appu, left in a car. The Tamil Nadu police changed three to four cars enroute. They were reportedly heading towards Kancheepuram.