Five arrested in Medchal vegetable market murder case

The Petbasheerabad police arrested five men for the murder of a 38-year-old businessman who was stabbed to death in public view at a crowded weekly market in Kompally on Sunday evening.

The five accused, Shaik Ahmad alias Noor, 33, Shaik Rehmath, 24, Kodimyala Shashi Kumar, 23, Vagmar Raj Kamal, 24, and Varikuppala Jampanna, 20, have been arrested for the murder of Syed Siddiq, according to an officer from the Cyberabad police. All the offenders except Jampanna are residents of Macha Bollaram, while he hails from Old Alwal.

Siddiq was running a battery light rental business for vegetable vendors alongside his father for over 15 years. “Their long-standing rivalry with another local businessman, Shaik Mohammad, and his sons had caused repeated friction. Matters escalated in March this year when Siddiq allegedly assaulted Mohammad’s son, Ahmad, during a dispute at the Medchal weekly market,” explained the officer.

Ahmad, fearing for his family’s safety and holding a grudge, decided to eliminate Siddiq. “He roped in his brother Rehmath and three associates. On May 11, after confirming Siddiq’s presence in Kompally market, the group launched a planned attack around 7.45 p.m. Ahmad, Rehmath, and Shashi Kumar stabbed Siddiq multiple times with knives, while Raj Kamal and Jampanna assaulted him using a vehicle key and their fists,” added the officer.

Jampanna has a history of property offences and robbery with seven cases registered against him since 2020.