A man hailing from Telangana has been arrested recently for allegedly murdering a fellow villager after watching videos on YouTube on ways to kill someone and weapon-making, police reported. The incident took place in the Ankushapur village in Jammikunta Mandal, where the body of the victim, named Mogili, was discovered late Saturday night. According to police, they managed to crack the case within 24 hours, resulting in the arrest of the accused, identified as Gangarapu Mahesh. 

Dispute stems from harassment complaint

As per police, Mahesh had leased agricultural land adjacent to that of a married woman, with whom he developed a close relationship earlier. Mogili had allegedly misbehaved with the woman earlier, and had even attempted to assault her sexually. 

After the woman lodged a complaint, Mogili was arrested, but was released from jail later. Police said post-release, he allegedly continued to make derogatory remarks about Mahesh and the woman, leading to escalation of tensions between the two families.

The cops believe these disputes ultimately led Mahesh to hatch a murder plan. 

Accused researched murder methods online

During the probe, the cops examined Mahesh’s cell phone and allegedly found searches related to murder techniques and the making of weapons on the popular broadcast platform, YouTube. The investigating police personnel said the accused appeared to have researched ways online before executing the murder.

Mogili attacked while returning from festival

Police personnel aware of the case said that on Saturday night, Mogili had gone to attend the Peerla festival in Madipalli village and was on his way back home on his bicycle when Mahesh allegedly lay in wait by the roadside. 

He allegedly attacked Mogili from behind with an iron rod, struck him on his head, causing his death on the spot itself. Post-murder, he returned home, changed his blood-stained clothes and also tried destroying evidence. 

During sustained interrogation by the police, Mahesh admitted to killing Mogili. Police also seized the iron rod used in the murder, along with Mahesh’s cell phone and bike. He was arrested and produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody. 

Second such incident in Telangana in recent times

The case comes days after a similar chilling crime was reported from the state’s Nalgonda district, where a man allegedly referred to online videos before planning the murder of four members of a family. The cops arrested four persons, including the key accused, in that case. The police said the murders had allegedly been committed for money, gold ornaments and in a fit of revenge. 

The key accused in the case, Syed Aslam, is a resident of Hyderabad, who used to work as a car driver. He was reeling under financial woes arising from a lavish lifestyle and rising pressure of pending loans.