Kidnapped contractor found dead

NELLORE/KADAPA: The body of contractor K Raghava Reddy, who was kidnapped at Rapur in Nellore district on December 12, was found in Pedda Cheruvu of Badvel mandal in Kadapa district on Monday.Nellore police have arrested three accused Dayakar Reddy, Navakota Reddy and Konda Reddy all business associates of the victim. The accused were sent to judicial custody.Raghava Reddy (55), who hailed from Mattapalle village in Chejerla mandal, had landed a contract for Rapur ghat road. But on December 12, when he did not return from work, his family got worried. On enquiring, his son K Vinaykumar Reddy learnt that his father was last seen at a petrol pump in Rapur. After a futile search, he lodged a complaint with the Rapur police the next day, suspecting kidnap.As part of their probe, police questioned Reddy's relatives and business partners Dayakar Reddy and Navakota Reddy. Reddy was known to have business disputes with Dayakar.On Monday, some cowherds found Reddy's body in the tank and alerted the Badvel police. Meanwhile, an abandoned car was found at Piler in Chittoor district, which is suspected to be used to kidnap Reddy. It is suspected that Dayakar himself or the men hired by him might have kidnapped and murdered him, police said.