Man held for allegedly murdering father over family dispute near Chittoor

Penumuru police arrested a 38-year-old man, S. Jokeshu Reddy, also known as Balaji, on Friday for allegedly murdering his father over a family dispute. The accused, an earthmover operator, had been living separately from his family at Penumuru for about nine years due to marital issues, according to the police.

On September 2, Jokeshu's wife, Chudamani, informed her father-in-law, S. Chenga Reddy, that her husband frequently consumed alcohol, caused quarrels, and had accumulated debts. She intended to visit their house the following day to resolve the issues when Jokeshu returned home. Fearing his father would reprimand him about his drinking and debts in front of his wife, Jokeshu decided to kill him.

He went to his native place, Manikyarayunipalli, carrying a knife. When Chenga Reddy allegedly scolded him about his habits, Jokeshu allegedly slit his father's throat while his mother watched in horror. He then fled the scene, and a special police team apprehended him on the outskirts of Penumuru on the Pakala Road. The police seized a knife, blood-stained clothes, and a motorcycle from him.