Background

The murder case involving Vinutha Kota, the Janasena Party in-charge for the Srikalahasti constituency in Tirupati district, and her driver, Srinivasulu alias Rayudu (22), has created a political storm in Andhra Pradesh. This incident has not only shaken the Janasena Party but has also become a topic of intense discussion across the state. This article provides a detailed account of the case, the arrests of the accused, and its political ramifications.

Incident Details

Srinivasulu, alias Rayudu, a 22-year-old from Bokkasampalem village in Srikalahasti mandal, worked as a driver and personal aide for Vinutha Kota. Since 2019, Rayudu had been employed at Vinutha’s residence, initially as an aide and later as her driver, reportedly maintaining close ties with her. However, in recent months, tensions arose between Rayudu and Vinutha, along with her husband, Chandrababu. The couple suspected Rayudu of leaking their personal and political information to their rivals.

On June 21, 2025, Vinutha and Chandrababu issued a statement claiming that Rayudu had fallen into the trap of their political opponents and was leaking sensitive information. They declared that they had severed all ties with him. Just three weeks later, on July 8, 2025, Rayudu’s body was found in the Cooum River in Chennai.

Murder and Investigation

Rayudu’s body was discovered in the Cooum River within the jurisdiction of the Seven Wells Police Station in Chennai. Tattoos on his body bearing the Janasena Party symbol and Vinutha’s name helped the police identify him. The investigation revealed that Rayudu was murdered in Renigunta, Srikalahasti, and his body was subsequently transported to Chennai and dumped in the Cooum River.

Based on CCTV footage and other evidence, the Chennai police arrested Vinutha Kota, her husband Chandrababu, and three associates—Gopi, Shivakumar, and Sheikh Tasan—on July 12, 2025. The accused reportedly confessed to torturing Rayudu in a godown and strangling him with a chain. Chennai Police Commissioner A. Arun confirmed to the media that the body showed visible injuries and strangulation marks, establishing it as a clear case of murder.

Motives Behind the Murder

According to the investigation, Vinutha and Chandrababu grew suspicious of Rayudu, accusing him of leaking their confidential political information to rival parties, particularly local Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders. Their suspicions intensified in March 2025 when Vinutha discovered Rayudu’s mobile phone with its camera activated in her bedroom, leading her to allege that he was attempting to capture private images.

Additionally, some social media posts suggested an illicit relationship between Rayudu and Vinutha, which Chandrababu could not tolerate, leading to the murder. However, these allegations remain unverified, and the police are still investigating this angle. The investigation confirmed that Rayudu was held captive in a godown for four days starting July 7, tortured, and then strangled.

Political Angle

Vinutha Kota contested the 2019 elections as a Janasena candidate from Srikalahasti but lost. In 2024, although Janasena intended to field her again, the seat was allocated to the Telugu Desam Party as part of a coalition agreement. This led to tensions between Vinutha and the local TDP MLA, Bojjala Sudheer Reddy. Reports suggest that Rayudu supported this decision, further fueling Vinutha’s anger.

Following her arrest, Vinutha alleged that the murder case was a political conspiracy orchestrated by Bojjala Sudheer Reddy to frame her. However, Sudheer Reddy dismissed these claims, stating that the case was purely criminal and not political. He expressed sympathy for Rayudu’s family and assured that justice would be served.

Janasena Party’s Response

Immediately after news of Vinutha’s arrest broke, the Janasena Party suspended her. The party’s high command stated that her actions were against its principles and that she had already been distanced from party activities. Janasena’s Conflict Management Head, Vemupati Ajay Kumar, officially announced this decision. The incident has significantly impacted Janasena’s image, particularly in the Srikalahasti constituency.

YSRCP’s Political Attack and Backfire

Following Vinutha’s arrest, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) launched a social media campaign against Janasena, accusing it of harboring criminals. However, Janasena’s swift suspension of Vinutha and its disciplinary actions caused the YSRCP’s attack to backfire. Janasena made it clear that there was no place for criminal activities within the party.

Mention of Pawan Kalyan

In an intriguing development, Rayudu’s sister reportedly mentioned Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan in connection with the case. However, details of her statement remain unclear, and the police are still investigating this aspect.

Conclusion

The murder case has left a lasting impact on Srikalahasti’s political landscape, particularly within the Janasena-TDP coalition. Vinutha Kota, her husband Chandrababu, and their three associates are currently in judicial custody at Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai. Further details are likely to emerge as the investigation progresses. Local leaders and the public are demanding justice for Rayudu’s family.