In a shocking and brazen act of violence, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Chandu Rathod, popularly known as Chandu Nayak, was gunned down in broad daylight while on his regular morning walk at Shalivahana Nagar Park in Hyderabad on Tuesday morning.
Rathod, aged 47, served as a Hyderabad city committee member of the CPI and was reportedly an influential figure in local party operations.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m., when a group of three to four unidentified assailants allegedly arrived at the park in a white Maruti Swift car.
According to eyewitnesses and initial police reports, the attackers threw chilli powder into Rathod’s eyes — a tactic to temporarily blind and disorient him — before firing multiple rounds at close range, leaving him fatally wounded.
#CPILeaderKilled #HyderabadCrime
Attack Caught Parkgoers by Surprise: Panic in Public Space
The park, located in the Malakpet area of Hyderabad, was busy at the time of the attack, with approximately 20 to 25 people present for their morning routine. Witnesses described scenes of panic and fear as shots rang out and the attackers quickly fled the scene in their vehicle.
“Five rounds were fired,” confirmed a senior police official from the Malakpet Police Station. Authorities arrived shortly after being alerted by bystanders, and a case was immediately registered.
#PublicSafety #CrimeInParks
Political Enmity Suspected: Family Points to Rival Communist Faction
While the motive behind the murder remains officially unclear, Rathod’s family members have raised serious allegations. They claim that he had been involved in a long-standing conflict with a member of a rival Communist party faction, which may have led to this targeted killing.
A senior investigator told reporters:
“We are actively pursuing multiple leads. While personal enmity has been mentioned by the family, we are not ruling out any angle — whether it is political rivalry, property disputes, or personal vendetta.”
#PoliticalViolence #CPIHyderabad
Security Concerns Raised Over Targeted Killing in Open Public Space
The incident has sparked concerns about law and order, especially the audacity of the attack being carried out in a public park during peak morning hours. Questions are being raised over the ease with which the assailants executed the crime and fled before anyone could react or intervene.
CPI and other Left party leaders in Hyderabad have condemned the murder, calling it an attack on democratic voices and demanding a thorough investigation and swift justice.
“This is not just a personal loss; it is a political message. Such acts of violence must not go unpunished,” a CPI state unit member said.
#JusticeForChanduRathod #AttackOnDemocracy
Police Begin Probe: Vehicle Identification and CCTV Scans Underway
The Hyderabad police have launched an intensive investigation, deploying multiple teams to gather CCTV footage from nearby areas and identify the vehicle used in the crime. A forensics team was also sent to the scene to collect evidence.
Officials confirmed that the car number plate was either covered or removed, making immediate identification difficult. However, they are hopeful that surveillance cameras on nearby roads might provide crucial clues.
#HyderabadPolice #CrimeInvestigation
CPI Mourns Loss, Demands Accountability
The Communist Party of India has expressed deep sorrow at the loss of one of its dedicated grassroots leaders and is expected to organize a protest rally and condolence meeting in the coming days.
“Chandu Rathod was a voice of the people. His loss is irreparable, and the state must act swiftly to bring the perpetrators to book,” said a CPI spokesperson.