A police team fired in self-defense at the main accused in the murder of CPI(M) activist K. Penchalaiah during a chase in the early hours of Saturday.
A police team led by circle inspectors Venu (Nellore Rural) and Srinivasa Rao (Vedayapal) surrounded him on a tip-off that the main accused, identified as James, was hiding nearby after evading arrest for seven days. In an attempt to avoid arrest, James lunged at police personnel brandishing a knife.
According to Deputy Superintendent (Nellore Rural) G. Srinivasa Rao, Constable Adinarayana sustained grievous injuries after James attacked him with a knife. Inspector Srinivasa Rao shot James in the knee to prevent him from harming the rest of the team. James was caught and taken to the hospital along with the injured constable.
James, allegedly involved in a ganja ring, allegedly murdered CPI(M) leader Penchalaiah (37) in front of his children. Associated with the party’s ‘Praja Natya Mandali’, Penchalaiah has been creating awareness through street plays against ganja peddling.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) State Secretary V. Srinivasa Rao and Nellore District Secretary M. Ramesh met the bereaved family and offered their support. While demanding immediate arrest and punitive action against the culprit, the party has called for a district-wide rally on December 2.
Published – 29 Nov 2025 19:32 IST
