The Inspector-General of Police Anuradha told reporters at Suryapet that the kingpin of the gang Konakalla Suresh, 32, a life convict, belonging to Koyalagudem of West Godavari district, had escaped from the police custody at Tanuku on November 11, 2006, and had since been absconding. A former head constable Sarvi Venkanna, 42, of Thorur in Warangal district was also nabbed.
The other accused persons were: Kusangi Upender, 24, of Venkatapurm in Khammam district, Narsingam Sudhakar, 25, of Chervu Madharam of Shaligouraram mandal in Nalgonda district, Mohd Abdul Yasin, 25, of Chaitanyapuri Colony in Kothapet, Hyderabd, Vallakari Rajesh, 30, of Lingala in Krishna District, Ram Srinivas, 30, of Hanumakonda in Warangal district and Mundeda Ram Dev, 40, of Mahaboobad.
Ransom demanded
According to an agreement between Venkanna and Ramdev, the gang led by Suresh intercepted the car of a merchant, Shyam Mahesh of Guntur, at Koyyalagudem in a filmy style and kidnapped the couple. They demanded a ransom of Rs. 3 crores and finally settled for Rs. 27 lakhs. Suresh gang told the victims that they belonged to a naxalite group.
As per the deal, the merchant arranged the amount but later approached the Guntur police.
Meanwhile, a police team led by Suryapet Circle Inspector M. Tirupatanna intercepted their car at Beebigudem and took five of them into its custody. The IG announced a cash reward of Rs.25,000 for the team that nabbed the gang.
