The staunch follower and one of the most trusted lieutenants of former Telugu Desam Party MLA from Penukonda, Paritala Ravindra, Chaman on Tuesday surrendered before the Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy at his office.
Fearing for his life, the slain TDP MLA’s trusted lieutenant had gone into a self imposed exile following Paritala Ravindra’s assassination in 2005 and his whereabouts were unknown till now. According to reports, Chaman had gone underground in Belgaum in Karnataka state immediately after the assassination of Paritala Ravindra.
Though the motive behind his surrender is not known, the police sources said that ill health may be the reason behind Chaman’s decision to surrender. The former factionist is believed to be the prime accused in about 22 cases, including land settlement cases.
He is also involved in TV Bomb blast in the house of Maddelacheruvu Suri, the prime accused in the murder of Paritala Ravindra. Incidentally, Suri himself was shot dead recently by his trusted lieutenant Bhanu Kiran.
Hailing from Kotthapalli village in Ramagiri mandal of Anantapur district, Chaman had played a key role in the Revolutionary Organising Centre (ROC) in its heyday. Following directions from the DGP, the police have shifted him to the SR Nagar police station. Sources say that he may be moved to an undisclosed location as a precautionary measure.