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Vegetable Vendor Accused of Killing Friends Over Pandemic Losses
10 Nov
Summary
- Former grocery store owner lost Rs 5 crore during COVID-19 pandemic
- Allegedly murdered two friends to rob them and demand ransom
- Purchased weapons like air pistol and knives to carry out the crimes
In November 2025, Ravi Prasad Reddy, a former grocery store owner from Hebbagodi, Bengaluru, was arrested on charges of murdering two of his friends. Investigations have revealed that Reddy, who is now a vegetable vendor, had incurred a loss of around Rs 5 crore during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Around 60 people to whom Reddy had lent money or with whom he had invested in chit funds died or left the city during the pandemic, causing him a huge financial setback. To rebuild his life, Reddy had set up a vegetable stall and brought in two associates from Andhra Pradesh to help him.
Reddy allegedly murdered tea shop owner R Madesh and metal fabrication factory owner Balappa Reddy to rob them and demand ransom. He had planned the crimes for around three months, purchasing an air pistol, a metal detector, and knives to carry out the attacks. Reddy was shot and injured in both knees when he tried to attack police personnel during a spot investigation.
