Bengaluru: City police, probing the kidnap and murder of 13-year-old M Prajwal, arrested a second accused, Edukondalu (18), from his hideout in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, Monday. He was produced before a judge at the latter’s residence in National Games Village and was taken into police custody for questioning.Police have already arrested the prime accused – Bhaskar Reddy (26) – and seized his SUV, in which he was caught with the boy’s body in the boot. A master’s degree holder from London, Bhaskar is a neighbour of Prajwal’s family and allegedly hatched the conspiracy to earn quick money. His father Tirupal Reddy, a govt contractor, had loans of Rs 3.5 crore on him, and Bhaskar claimed he wanted to lessen the debts, investigations revealed.Working as a bus cleaner at an international school near Yelahanka, Edukondalu stayed near Vinayakanagar in Bagalur, where Bhaskar also lived, sources said.“Both of them come from Nellore. Bhaskar often met Edukondalu at a wine store or bar and gradually, both became friends. Reddy, who was planning the kidnap and murder, roped in Edukondalu for two reasons: Edukondalu was illiterate and carried out Reddy’s orders without any questions. With the kidnap conspiracy in mind, Reddy often took Edukondalu for drinking and won his confidence,” an investigating officer said. “Bhaskar also promised a good payment for Edukondalu out of the ransom of Rs 1.5 crore he expected to get,” the officer said.According to Edukondalu, Bhaskar had clearly mentioned that they would kidnap the boy, record a video of him, then murder him, dispose of the body and then, using a different mobile phone, send the video to Prajwal’s father, Manohar, asking for a ransom of Rs 1.5 crore. After Prajwal’s murder, Bhaskar’s plan failed as his SUV met with an accident. Subsequently, Bhaskar was arrested while Edukondalu had fled the city.
