The kidnap and killing of Deekshith, a 9-year-old boy from Mahabubabad, has come as a shock. Three days after his kidnap, the police have ascertained that Mandha Sagar, a 23-year-old mechanic, is the criminal who strangulated the boy to death. Post killing him, he partially burnt the body.

"Sagar made his first ransom call to Deekshith's parents demanding Rs 45 lakh hours after kidnapping him. He wanted to make easy money. He feared that the boy might out his identity because he is familiar to him and his parents. That's why he killed Deekshith," the police have said. Ranith Reddy, the boy's father, is a journalist.

The police have found discovered that the accused made sure that CCTV cameras are not in sight where the boy was picked up. He used a motorcycle with a fake number, reached a hill at Kalaposalapally and executed the murder.

So far, 30 people have been interrogated.