Sri Sathya Sai district police have reportedly arrested three persons, including Dharmavaram Assembly constituency YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president, on Wednesday in connection with the murder of Dasari Srinivasulu, which was reported on August 9.

The accused were identified as YSRCP leader and prime accused Gadipudi Gangadhar Naidu (42), Bala Charan Kumar (28) and Gujjala Gangadhar, alias Erikili Gangadhar (35), all of whom belong to Dharmavaram, the police said.

According to the police, Gangadhar Naidu and Srinivasulu, both childhood friends and political associates, allegedly developed personal and political differences, coupled with a dispute over financial transactions. Police said that Gangadhar Naidu, suspecting that Srinivasulu could harm him, reportedly hatched a conspiracy to murder his rival with the help of his associates.

The trio allegedly took Srinivasulu in an SUV to Dharmavaram Cheruvu waterbody, where he was attacked with a stick and a boulder before his body was dumped in the water.

The police seized the SUV allegedly used in committing the crime, a motorcycle, and three mobile phones from the accused. After preliminary interrogation, the police also confiscated a boulder and blood-stained clothes from the location of the tank. The trio had been sent for remand.

Published - August 12, 2026 07:23 pm IST