Two Mumbai-based toddy traders held for plotting murder of RTI activist in Telangana

The arrested accused have been identified as Rajeshwar Goud, 46, who lives in Bandra (East) and Rajaiyya Kasakpore, 50, who lives in Jogeshwari.

The city crime branch arrested two toddy traders on Monday for conspiring and hiring a shooter from West Bengal to eliminate the liquor merchant-turned-Right to Information (RTI) activist, Podeti Satyanarayana Goud, 56, in Telangana on May 9.

Podeti Satyanarayana Goud, 56, was murdered in Telangana on May 9. (HT File (Representational Image))

The arrested accused have been identified as Rajeshwar Goud, 46, who lives in Bandra (East) and Rajaiyya Kasakpore, 50, who lives in Jogeshwari. Rajeshwar has toddy shops in Anand Nagar in Jogeshwari and several other places too while Kasakpore has three toddy shops in Khar, Vile Parle and Kherwadi in Bandra (East).

“Officers of unit one of the Mumbai crime branch got a tip-off about the duo and arrested them on Monday morning from Bandra. Telangana police has been informed about the suspects and they will be handed over to them for investigation,” said Vinayak Mer, police inspector.

“Goud had filed many RTI petitions with the Maharashtra Excise department alleging sale of adulterated toddy in Mumbai by the toddy traders from Telangana,” said a crime branch officer. Following the RTI petition, the excise department conducted raids at several illegal toddy shops and licenses of many traders were cancelled.The toddy traders in Mumbai and Telangana were against Goud for filing petitions.

An eyewitness had registered a case and the name of the main conspirator, Rajeshwar , came to light after that. The Telangana police collected forensic evidence and empty bullets from the crime scene. Musharaf and nine other accused were arrested after 15 days of search.