Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Friday hit out at the YSR Congress for blaming him for the "murder" of Y S Vivekananda Reddy and alleged that the slain leader's family appeared "prima facie" guilty.
Vivekananda Reddy was found dead at his house in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.
Police initially registered a case under Section 174 Cr P C (unnatural death) when Reddy's body was found by his staff early in the morning.
After post-mortem in the local government hospital, police confirmed the case was altered to Section 302 IPC that relates to murder.
The slain leaders family members appeared "prima facie guilty" as they not only tried to hide the murder but also destroy vital forensic evidence, the Chief Minister told a hurriedly-convened press conference.
"Its a major murder. If a crime happens in a house, suspicion should start from there itself and every member of it should be probed.
Vivekanandas family tried to hide the fact that it was a murder till the post-mortem was done. Why was he killed," the Chief Minister asked, adding all facts related to the case have to be comprehensively established.
Rejecting the YSRC chiefs demand for a CBI investigation, Naidu said the demand was raised only to get away from the case.
"This has become like a fiction. The scene of offence was disturbed and they tried to make believe it the death was due to heart attack.
Step-by-step they tried to hide everything and also destroy evidence. They did not tell even the police. They even made police believe it was a heart attack and said they did not want a case (filed)," Naidu said.
The Chief Minister said Pulivendula police inspector Sankaraiah failed in discharging his duties properly as he let the family members shift the former ministers body to hospital without completion of an inquest.
"It was such a severe injury to the head that the brain popped out. Deadly weapons were used (in the crime). The family changed tune in the evening only after the post-mortem established facts," Naidu said.
Jagan Mohan Reddy and the YSRC blamed him, his son Lokesh and the TDP only for political gains, Naidu lashed out.
"Truth is truth. Nothing can be hidden. They wanted to use a family members murder for political gains. Its a misfortune to have such a leader in politics," Naidu said, hitting out at the YSR Congress chief.
Replying to a question, the Chief Minister asserted that only the state police would investigate the case.
"You have to depend on them whether or not you have belief (in the state police)," he said.
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