Andhra Pradesh: Evangelist KA Paul arrested on murder charges

Hyderabad: Well-known evangelist KA Paul was arrested on Monday morning from Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh. He was arrested for attempting to murder Koteswar Rao, accused of killing his brother, Daniel.

Paul was charged under IPC sections 120 B (for hatching criminal conspiracy to abduct) and 307 (attempt to murder), Superintendent of Police (Prakasam) Raghurami Reddy, said. Paul is also facing a charge under Prevention of Corruption Act, the SP said.

"Paul was arrested for conspiring to eliminate Koteswara. He had tried to lure a police official by offering a bribe to kill Koteswar in (fake) encounter," Reddy said. Paul allegedly offered Rs 1 crore to a police inspector, and paid Rs 3 lakh as advance.

KA Paul was arrested for attempting to murder Koteswar, accused of killing his brother, Daniel.

Paul's brother Daniel was found dead on a highway in 2010 under mysterious circumstances.

Paul was picked up from Ongole in Prakasam district in the morning and was remanded to judicial custody after he was produced in a local court. He was in Ongole to campaign for his outfit 'Praja Shanti Party' for the ensuing by-polls.

The evangelist came into news after he alleged that YS Rajasekhara Reddy, the then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, had demanded Rs 20 crore from him for election funds. Paul said he had refused to give the money. Later he floated his own party.

Talking to reporters before being sent to the local prison, Paul said Congress leaders and YS Jaganmohan Reddy had conspired to send him to jail.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)