CPI leader Chandu Naik killed in targeted shooting over old rivalry, says DCP

Hyderabad: CPI state council member Chandu Naik, 47, was shot dead Tuesday morning in what police described as a planned attack linked to an old rivalry. South East DCP S. Chaitanya Kumar said four men arrived in a Swift car, conducted a recce, and fired three rounds near the west gate of Salivahana Park in Malakpet around 7:30 a.m.

The assailants used a single weapon and fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Forensic teams recovered two empty shells and three fired bullets. “Two live shells were also found. The bullets indicate use of one firearm. Chandu Naik was deliberately targeted. He had not reported any threat to police earlier,” DCP Chaitanya said at a press briefing.

Naik, a senior CPI leader, was named in a 2022 murder case under LB Nagar police limits. Police are also investigating another pending case involving him. Ten special teams have been deployed to track down the attackers.

Clues teams examined the scene, and CCTV footage from the area is under review.