The 35-year-old man identified as Rajkumar, who was wanted for the brutal murder of six individuals in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district, was found dead on Monday. His body was discovered in Penjerla, located in the Kothur mandal. Based on preliminary findings, the police have indicated that the accused died by suicide. The authorities were alerted to the scene after local residents contacted Dial 100 regarding the discovery of the body. Upon arrival, the police noted foam coming from the victim's mouth and recovered a bottle of pesticide near the body, suggesting he had ingested poison.
Background of the murders and the POCSO case
Penjerla village is home to Rajkumar's maternal uncle. The series of murders took place on the night of July 10. Earlier this year, in May, Rajkumar had been booked under the POCSO Act following accusations of stalking a minor girl. Immediately after being released on bail, Rajkumar executed a violent plan fueled by vengeance. The victims included those who had filed the original complaint against him.
List of the victims
Six lives were lost in this tragic event. The victims were identified as Chityala Rukkamma (65), Chityala Lakshmi (45), a 17-year-old minor girl, the accused’s wife Parvati Saritha (30), and his two young sons, Parikshit (3) and Daivikshit (2). Reports indicate that Rajkumar used a knife to attack the victims and slit their throats.
Sequence of events after the crime
After committing the murders, Rajkumar called his father, confessed to the killings, and stated his intention to end his own life. He subsequently turned off his mobile phone and fled the area. His father promptly reported the incident to the police. To apprehend the suspect, the Telangana police had formed 12 specialized teams and launched a massive search operation across the region.
Brutal act driven by vengeance
Police investigations reveal that Rajkumar executed these murders as an act of retaliation. He had initially taken the minor girl to a field where he assaulted and killed her. He then proceeded to murder the girl's mother and grandmother. This cycle of violence was carried out to avenge his previous arrest in the POCSO case. A police team has taken custody of the body, informed the family members, and is continuing the legal process.
