VIJAYAWADA: Police on Sunday said that the prime suspect in the murder of NRI entrepreneur Ch Jayaram was Rakesh Reddy, a former boyfriend of Jayaram’s niece Sikha Choudhary.Jayaram was killed on Friday and his body was found at Ithapuram near Nandigama in Krishna district A senior police officer told TOI that Rakesh, who is in their custody, committed the offence over a financial dispute. He ruled out Sikha’s involvement in the crime. After verifying CCTV footage, the police found that Rakesh was with the entrepreneur before the murder took place.The police rejected reports in regional media of Jayaram sexually harassing Sikha, and said such reports were affecting the course of investigation.“Sikha has no role,” a senior police officials said. “Her relationship with Rakesh ended eight months ago and a financial dispute between Rakesh and Jayaram resulted in the crime.”He said the relationship between Jayaram and Sikha was immaterial to the murder case, and that her statement corroborated the relationship she had with Rakesh.The police have taken into custody a few other employees, including a former Express TV anchor for interrogation at the Vatsavai police station.The police said people have been questioned to collect details regarding Jayaram’s activity in the two days before his murder. The cause of death is yet to be determined through the FSL report but preliminary investigation suggested that Jayaram was administered a poison through syringe containing magnesium sulphate, which is used to euthanise animals.The police said Jayaram had paid ?4.5 crore to Rakesh to sever ties with Sikha and their family, but he was asking for more.Meanwhile, the police conducted inquiries against fellow police officials for leaking ‘false information’ through media, and have suspended a constable.Meanwhile, Sikha Choudhary attended Jayaram’s last rites in Hyderabad. Jayaram’s family members gave their statements to the police putting forth their accusation against Rakesh Reddy.

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