Patolla Govardhan Reddy, one of the accused in the killing of TDP leader Paritala Ravindra, was attacked by unknown persons and was brutally murdered at Boggulakunta in Hyderabad on Tuesday evening. The assailants attacked Reddy with swords and other lethal weapons when he was travelling in an auto-rickshaw.

Patolla Govardhan Reddy’s throat was slit and there were 13 stab injuries on his body, the police said. He was recently released from Chanchalguda jail after a prolonged stay, as he was acquitted of the charges in the Paritala Ravi mruder case. Govardhan Reddy had links with Maddelacheruvu Suryanarayana Reddy, who was the prime accused in the Paritala Ravi's murder case. Suryanrayana Reddy, also known as Suri, was himself murdered by his close aide Bhanu last year.

Govardhan Reddy, who hails from Tandur in Ranga Reddy district, allegedly had contacts with outlawed CPI (Maoists) activities. Reddy was one of the most sought after revolutionary leaders until he was arrested in the Paritala murder case. He was also accused in the murder case of RTP leader Venkat Reddy. He had some 65 criminal cases against him including some in land settlements.