Santosh B., a 32‑year‑old Nizamabad resident, was taken into custody on May 24 after slashing YouTuber Chittari Haribabu, 26, on a congested stretch of the road leading to the city’s railway station.
Commissioner P Sai Chaitanya said CCTV frames captured Santosh lunging at Haribabu with a kitchen knife before fleeing toward Visakhapatnam. The footage, coupled with a recovered blade and two other knives found in Santosh’s car, enabled officers to trace his escape route.
Haribabu had previously been jailed in March 2025 for murdering his wife, Vaishnavi, but was freed on bail after a year. He had been selling corn on local markets to support his family when the fatal attack unfolded.
Santosh claimed the killing was revenge for his sister’s death, yet police found no evidence that the victim’s sister was involved in any prior incidents. The investigation now focuses on four alleged accomplices who may have helped stage the assault.
The Nizamabad Sessions Court will hear the case on June 10, and the police will file charges under sections 302 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code.