The prime accused in the murder of Anantapur faction leader, Gangula Suryanarayana Reddy, Malishetty Bhanu Kiran alias Bhanu was produced before the CID Magistrate at Judge Quarters in Secunderabad last night. He was remanded to judicial custody till May 4.

Bhanu was soon shifted to Cherlapalli prison in the city. He is now in Manasasarovar Block in the prison.
Meanwhile, the police are likely to move a petition before the Nampally Courty in Hyderabad seeking the court for handing over Bhanu to CID custody.

In a major breakthrough, the CID--probing faction leader Suri’s murder in Hyderabad in January last year--announced on Saturday that they nabbed the prime accused Bhanu, who gave a slip to police after Suri’s murder. Suri was suspected as the prime accused  as the car driver of Suri apparently said in a police investigation that Suri sat beside the driver while Bhanu was in rear seat. Bhanu apparently shot Suri from the back at point blank range on January 3, 2011 and escaped from the situation.

Suri was rushed to Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad  where he battled with life and died in the evening on the same day. Bhanu who was absconding for a couple of months was moving place to place across the country in disguise. He was even said to hold PAN cards and other identity cards on fake name.

Who is Suryanarayana Reddy?

Suryanarayana Reddy was the convict in Jubilee Hills bomb blast case (that was aimed at eliminating TDP MLA late Paritala Ravindra alais Ravanna) in which more than 10 persons killed.  While Suri was in Anantapur jail, Bhanu reportedly took care of Suri’s businesses and settlements. Bhanu was also said to have many properties of Suri’s on his name (as a binami).

Maverick film maker’s bilingual movie Raktha Charithra was presumably close to Paritala Ravi’s life.  Vivek Oberoi was said to have played Paritala Ravi’s role while Suriya played Surya’s role (who appears in second part). Reportedly, Ram Gopal Varma visited Anantapur Jail in 2009 when he was in a plant to make Raktha Charithra.

Surya Narayarayana Reddy was granted a conditional bail by a division bench of Andhra Pradesh High Court in December 2009.

Bhanu smiles before the media:

The entire state came to know Bhanu when he allegedly murdered the convict in Paritala Ravi’s case, Suri. When news channels flashed the photos of Bhanu then, people saw Bhanu with trim beard and moustache. 

After a couple of months when the CID nabbed him and announced that he would presented before the media, people expected to see a tensed and weak person with beard face. But it came as a shock to many people when they saw Bhanu on news channels on Saturday evening. 

Astonishingly, Bhanu  had a pleasant face and even gave a smile when he was produced before the media by the CID.

TDP supremo takes on home minister:

On the other hand, TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu lashed out at the home minister Sabitha Indra Reddy alleging that Bhanu had links with home minsiter’s son. Coming down heavily on these statements, the home minister has said that stringent action would be taken against those found guilty in this case besides ruling out her son’s link with Bhanu. Chandrababu Naidu allegations were baseless, she added.

Now that Bhanu is arrested, interesting things are likely to come out in the police investigation. While what would be the reason behind Bhanu’s cool attitude has become the topic of the town, many people suspect VIPs support to Bhanu. Whatever be the reason behind his smile, one has to wait and watch as to whose name comes into the picture once the investigation is concluded. (Phani)