Former MLA, TDP Leader Awarded Life Imprisonment In Fisherman’s Murder 

Visakhapatnam: In a sensational verdict, a Sessions Court in Anakapalli town in Visakhapatnam district on Wednesday sentenced TDP leader and former MLA from Payakaraopet – Chengala Venkata Rao - to life imprisonment.

The court convicted Venkat Rao and 15 of his men holding them guilty of causing death to a fisherman named Gosalakonda during a protest staged against the BMC company 10 years ago. It was alleged that Venkata Rao and his men hacked the fisherman to death at at Bangarampeta village in Nakkapalli mandal in the district.

The court also awarded five followers of Venkata Rao to two years imprisonment. Chengala Venkata Rao came to prominence with the movie 'Samarasimha Reddy' starring Balarkishna. The movie was recorded as an all time hit at the box office in 1999.

He later attempted suicide by jumping into Hussain Sagar when the film exhibitors filed a cheating case against his distribution office. He, however, rescued by the police in the nick of the time.