Hyderabad, Oct 23: Rachakonda Police on Thursday arrested three individuals in connection with the attack on Gau Rakshak Dal activist Bidla Prashanth Kumar, also known as Sonu Singh, near Yamnampet, Ghatkesar, on Wednesday evening. Prashanth, 28, sustained gunshot injuries to his chest in the incident.
The arrested accused include Mohammad Ibrahim Qureshi, 24, Hassanbin Mosin, 22, and Kuruva Srinivas, 29. Another accused, Mohammad Haneef Qureshi, 34, remains at large. While Ibrahim and Mosin are involved in the cattle transport business, Srinivas is a farmer. The police acted swiftly, arresting the three within 12 hours, said Rachakonda Police Commissioner G. Sudheer Babu.
Police recovered one country-made pistol, a car, three cell phones, and two 5 mm cartridges from the crime scene. A pellet removed from Prashanth’s body at the hospital was also recovered. A case has been registered under sections 109, 61(2) r/w 3(5) BNS and sections 25(1)(a), 27 of the Arms Act at Pocharam IT Corridor Police Station.
Investigation revealed that Prashanth was lured to the spot by Srinivas and confronted by Ibrahim, Haneef, and Mosin for “exposing” their illegal cattle transportation. Ibrahim allegedly fired at Prashanth in retaliation for an estimated ₹1 crore loss caused by the victim intercepting his vehicles. Reports also suggest a potential conflict over Prashanth allegedly demanding ₹5 lakh to halt his actions.
Commissioner Sudheer Babu credited the prompt response of Patrol Mobile and Blue Colt officers for saving the victim’s life and ensuring the quick arrest of the accused. Prior interventions by Prashanth had led to the registration of five cases against the accused under the Telangana State Prohibition of Cow Slaughter and Animal Preservation Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Ibrahim also faces a 2022 extortion case at Kamatipura Police Station.
Meanwhile, BJP state leaders and workers were detained when they protested outside the office of the Director General of Police against the attack on the activist.
