5 arrested in Uppal double-murder case; accused suspected black magic

HYDERABAD: The Rachakonda police have arrested five men for their alleged involvement in a double murder case of a priest and his son that happened in Uppal on 14 October 2022.

Reportedly, the main accused Vinay Reddy (31) suspected that the priest Narsimla Narsimha (75) was performing black magic on him and hatched the plot of murdering him.

Investigation revealed that Vinay had paid Rs 6 lakhs to Narsimha to perform a pooja for his selection in the police department. Upon not being selected, Vinay started asking him to repay the amount. There were many instances even after this where Vinay paid Narsimha to perform special poojas. When nothing worked out, Vinay started demanding a refund, which the priest denied and ignored Vinay.

Vinay Reddy, from September 2021, reportedly felt sick on full-moon days and was suffering from stress as nothing was on track. He suspected that the priest, to avoid returning the money, was performing black magic to cause him distress.

The accused, along with four more men, Bala Krishna (33), Jagadeesh Goud (36), Ganvaya Ram (56) and Shyam Sundar (42), observed the priest's movements and murdered him and his son Narsimla Srinivas (45) at their residence in Uppal.

The police seized blood-stained clothes of Bala Krishna, blood-stained weapons used by Vinay and Bala Krishna, one bike and two mobile phones.