Anakapalli DSP M Sravani producing the accused before the media at Kasimkota police station on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In a crime resembling the plot of a gripping thriller, a man, along with his three accomplices, was arrested by the Kasimkota police on charges of murdering his father-in-law and trying to make it look like an accident to claim an insurance payout of over ₹1 crore.
The police arrested the four accused, including an insurance agent and a construction worker hired for the crime, in connection with the death of K. Narayana Murthy (54), a resident of Kothapalli village of Anakapalli district, reported on December 8.
What appeared to be a hit-and-run case initially turned out to be a murder that was allegedly planned over two years with an eye on a hefty insurance payout, the police said, adding that shocking details came to light during the investigation.
The accused have been identified as S. Annavaram (42), a mason, his son S. Jyothi Prasad (19), insurance agent B. Nanaji (38) and A. Tataji (49), a construction worker hired for the murder.
The Kasimkota police lodged a hit-and-run case after Narayana Murthy’s body was found on the road. However, the case was changed into a suspicious death case as certain injuries were found on the body during the inquest, Anakapalli DSP M. Sravani told the media on Saturday.
The key accused, Annavaram married the victim’s Narayana Murthy’s daughter. Caught in a debt trap of around ₹30 lakh, Annavaram, on the advice of Nanaji, hatched a plan two years ago to subscribe to insurance plans in his father-in-law’s name first and murder the latter to claim the payout. Insurance agent Nanaji reportedly assured Annavaram to help settle the claims quickly on a commision of ₹10 lakh.
Annavaram had purchased seven insurance policies with a cover of ₹1.08 crore since March 2024 and paid premiums.
Annavaram reportedly took care of all expenditures of Tataji (49), who had been separated from his wife, for a year. Gaining his trust, Annavaram discussed the murder plan with Tataji, who agreed to help. Annavaram’s son, S. Jyothi Prasad (19), was also a part of the conspiracy, the DSP said.
On December 8, Annavaram reportedly invited his father-in-law to a liquor party. After Narayana Murthy was drunk, Annavaram, along with the other accused, allegedly attacked him with rods. They allegedly dumped the body of Narayana Murthy on a road with no streetlights in an isolated area near their village, in a bid to make it look like a road accident, the police said.
Annavaram reportedly grieved and performed the victim’s final rites to avoid suspicion, the DSP said.
Inspector A. Swamy Naidu, Sub-Inspectors P. Manoj and Lakshmana Rao were also present.
Published – December 13, 2025 08:44 pm IST
