Overview

• The accused—prime suspect Gunti Sai Kumar, victim’s wife Vasthapula Swathi and Pottepaka Mahesh—were arrested and are in judicial custody
• Investigators say the trio used a hired car to ram the victim’s two-wheeler and drag it about 120 feet on July 13 to disguise the killing
• Probe findings link the conspiracy to overlapping extramarital affairs and alleged mental and physical harassment of Swathi by her husband
• Authorities have invoked sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, heightening the penalties and legal scrutiny
• A fourth suspect, Cheemala Ramalinga Swamy, remains at large as police continue their search