š„ Hyderabad Stunned: CPI Leader Gunned Down on Morning Walk! š±
- MediaFx
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
TL;DR:Ā On Tuesday morning in Malakpetās Shalivahana Nagar Park, CPI leader K.āÆChandu Rathod (47) was brutally shot dead during a routine stroll. Allegedly attacked by a friend turned rival over land disputes, the assailants used chilli powder to blind him before opening fire in broad daylight. His wife had sensed danger earlier and warned him. This shocking killing has shaken the left movement in Hyderabad, raising urgent questions about local political tensions and the safety of grassroots activists.
š Morning Horror in Malakpet
Early on Jul 15 at around 7:30āÆAM, Chandu Rathod, a member of the #CPI Hyderabad city council, was out for his daily walk at Shalivahana Nagar Park. Around 6:10āÆAM, his wife, Nari Bai, spotted a white Swift car with RajeshāRathod's former friend and rivalāfrom CPI(ML), along with three others, suspiciously driving by š. She warned Rathod ā ļø, but he reassured her as he continued the walk with their daughter š§.
Then, while he was alone, the attackers threw chilli powder š¶ļø into his eyes to blind him šµ, then opened fire š«. Five rounds were fired š„ and Rathod died instantly. The assailants fled in the same Swift car šāāļøšØ, leaving behind a shocked crowd of 20ā30 onlookers š³.
ā ļø Clashing Ideologies & Land Disputes
Investigations by Malakpet police and Telangana law enforcement reveal that the killing may be linked to a heated land dispute š . Rathod had been vocal against the accused Rajesh, who, as the CPI leaderās wife alleges, was extorting hut dwellers šø. The two reportedly had an old feud over #realestate matters š.
Police recovered spent and live ammunition at the scene šāconfirming the use of a single weaponāand are analyzing CCTV footage š„. Ten police teams, along with forensic and sniffer teams š, are investigating to trace the suspects šµļøāāļø.
šØāš©āš§ Family on Edge
Rathod's wife and daughter left the park just before the attack started ā³. K.āÆNari Bai later recounted recognizing the accused and warning her husband š. Unfortunately, he stayed back to talk to friends and was shot moments later š„.
The #CPI claims the motive was personalānot politicalāand have stated Rathod had previously left CPI(M) and then maintained a tense relationship with the CPI(ML) functionary Rajesh š«¤.
šµļøāāļø Investigative Steps Underway
š¹ Police have registered an FIR under the Arms Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita š.š¹ Forensic teams are examining ballistic evidence and CCTV footage š¬.š¹ Authorities suspect 3ā4 attackers š„; the Swift car is being traced through traffic and local cameras š¦.š¹ Preliminary probe indicates the motive was a #land disputeānot intra-party rivalryābut all leads are being pursued š.
š„ Left Movement Reeling
Rathod was a grassroots #activist with deep roots in working-class communities, especially those in informal settlements šļø. His death highlights growing tensions over #land and #urban developmentāa crisis facing many in Hyderabad š. The sudden loss of a CPI leader in such a public space raises alarms about the safety of politicians who challenge economic inequality š.
From the workingāclass point of view, this isnāt just another crimeāitās a warning signal šØ. Ruralāurban residents and activists face increasing risks when standing up against local power brokers exploiting land and slum communities š”. The response from police and CPI will test the stateās commitment to protecting democratic dissent and fighting growing inequality ā.
šļø MediaFxās Take
From the peopleās perspective, Chandu Rathodās murder is another symptom of deep-rooted land grab culture and political turf wars š¤¬. When local activists canāt walk safely in their own parks, it reflects a larger breakdown in community protection and justice āļø.
We demand swift legal action āļø, transparent investigation šµļøāāļø, and protection for leaders who fight for equality and peace šļø.
Letās hear your voice š£ļøāhow should CPI and local people unite to push back? Drop your thoughts below š!
