Most-wanted criminal arrested after firing in Sri Sathya Sai district

A most-wanted criminal, absconding for several months and facing more than 90 cases across Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, was arrested by Sri Sathya Sai district police after an exchange of fire on Friday. The accused, identified as Kavadi Nagendra , is a hardened offender with a long criminal record, particularly in Sri Sathya Sai and the erstwhile Anantapur districts.

Nagendra is the prime accused in the 2024 gang rape of a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law at Chilamathur in the Hindupuram area, a case that triggered widespread outrage across the state. Since then, he had been on the run, evading the police while hiding in forested areas. Police records show that over 40 cases are registered against him in Sri Sathya Sai and the undivided Anantapur districts alone.

Acting on specific intelligence , special police teams were deployed on the instructions of Hindupuram DSP Mahesh . At around 6.30 am , the police surrounded Nagendra. While attempting to escape, he attacked constable Ravi with a knife. He then feigned surrender before suddenly assaulting Circle Inspector Anjaneyulu . In the ensuing struggle, both sustained injuries.

As the accused continued to pose a serious threat, police first fired warning shots . When he persisted in trying to attack police personnel, CI Anjaneyulu fired in self-defence , hitting him below the knee . The accused was overpowered and arrested, and along with the injured police personnel, shifted to a government hospital for treatment. Senior officials later congratulated the police team for the arrest.