Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Suspected Revenge Killing Follows Pregnant YouTuber Murder Case
Chittari Haribabu was killed in Nizamabad, Telangana, on Thursday.
Police said he was near a roadside food stall when several people arrived in a car.
One person allegedly followed him and attacked his head and neck with a knife used for cutting coconuts.
Haribabu died at the scene, and his body was taken to a hospital for an examination.
He had been accused of killing his wife, Gandham Vaishnavi.
Vaishnavi was a YouTuber and was four months pregnant when she died.
Her family had alleged that she was harassed over demands for more dowry.
A video attributed to Vaishnavi’s brother Santosh says he killed Haribabu because he believed Haribabu was responsible for her death.
Police are checking whether the video is genuine and investigating everyone involved.
Chittari Haribabu, 26, was fatally attacked near a roadside eatery in Nizamabad around 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Police said three or four people arrived by car before one person attacked Haribabu with a coconut-cutting knife or sickle.
Haribabu had been accused in the killing of his four-month-pregnant wife, YouTuber Gandham Vaishnavi.
Vaishnavi’s family alleged she faced harassment over additional dowry; Haribabu was arrested and later released on bail in July.
A selfie video attributed to Vaishnavi’s brother Santosh claims responsibility, but police are verifying the video and searching for suspects.
- Who
- Chittari Haribabu was killed; Vaishnavi’s brother Santosh is alleged to have claimed responsibility.
- What
- Haribabu was fatally attacked in a suspected revenge killing.
- When
- The attack occurred around 5 p.m. on Thursday; Vaishnavi was found dead on March 17, and Haribabu was released on bail in July.
- Where
- The attack occurred near a roadside eatery in Nizamabad, Telangana; Vaishnavi was found dead at her residence in Jagtial district.
- Why
- Santosh allegedly said he attacked Haribabu because he believed Haribabu had killed his sister, although police are still verifying the claim.
Police and Investigative Perspective
Santosh’s Alleged Justification
Responsibility for the killing
Police and Investigative Perspective
Police said a group of three or four people arrived in a car and are investigating who attacked Haribabu.
Santosh’s Alleged Justification
In a selfie video, Santosh allegedly claimed that he killed the man he believed was responsible for his sister’s death.
Motive and justice
Police and Investigative Perspective
Police must establish the facts, verify the video and determine the roles of all suspects through the investigation.
Santosh’s Alleged Justification
Santosh allegedly said he acted because he believed the government had not delivered justice in Vaishnavi’s case.
Video and surrender claim
Police and Investigative Perspective
The video is subject to police verification, and officers are searching for those involved in the public attack.
Santosh’s Alleged Justification
The person in the video allegedly said he would surrender at a police station and appealed for public support.
- Victim
- Chittari Haribabu, 26
- Attack location
- Near a roadside eatery in Nizamabad, Telangana
- Attack weapon
- A knife or sickle used for cutting coconuts
- Earlier case
- Haribabu had been accused in the killing of his wife, Gandham Vaishnavi.
- Vaishnavi’s condition
- She was four months pregnant when she died.
- Legal status
- Haribabu was arrested in the earlier murder case and released on bail in July.
- Investigation
- Police are verifying the selfie video and searching for those involved in Haribabu’s killing.
