Date:31/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/31/stories/2008083159620700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Pastor was killed for gain, say police

Staff Reporter

NIZAMABAD: The Yellareddy police, under the supervision of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Kamareddy V. Shyamsundar, unravelled the mystery behind the sensational murder of Christian Pastor Thomas Paidipally and arrested five of the six accused persons on Saturday.

Presenting them at a press conference here this evening, Deputy IG of Police K. Rajaratnam Naidu said the arrested persons Orsu Sailoo, Amber Singh, Dandla Lakshman, Ram Singh and Bachepu Gangaiah, along with another person, brutally killed the pastor for gain on August 16 night when he was returning to Yellareddy after evening prayers at Lingampet.

They dragged him into roadside bushes and beat him up. After confirming that he was unconscious they took away his purse that contained Rs. 6,000.

However, as the pastor crawled onto the road yelling for help the accused number one Ambar Singh inflicted on him knife injuries resulting in the immediate death of the pastor.

The accused also took away the pastor’s motorbike and abandoned it on the outskirts of Lingampet mandal headquarter. Efforts were on to arrest the sixth accused person, said the Deputy IG.

Praising the efforts of the Yellareddy Circle Inspector D. Krishna and Sub-Inspectors of Yellareddy and Lingampet, the DIG said the police personnel who took part in the investigation of the case would suitably be rewarded.