In a chilling and tragic incident in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district, a 35-year-old man allegedly killed six people, including a 16-year-old girl whom he had been accused of stalking. The killings occurred on the night of Friday, involving members of the girl's family as well as the man's own wife and two young sons. The accused was later found dead in a village about 25 kilometers from his home, under circumstances that suggest suicide.
The man had earlier been booked in a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. According to police reports, the 16-year-old girl's family had filed a complaint against him in May for stalking her. Following the complaint, the accused went into hiding but applied for anticipatory bail, which was granted, and he was released on personal bond in June.
On the night of the killings, the man traveled approximately six kilometers from his village to the home of the teenage girl. Police said that at around 10:45 pm, he knocked on the door, and when the girl's mother opened it, he attacked her with a knife, killing her instantly. He then entered the house and fatally stabbed the girl's 60-year-old grandmother, who was asleep at the time. The accused then forced the teenager into his car and drove to a lake near his village. Notably, the girl's sister was left unharmed during this attack.
After this, the man returned to his own home. Around 11:20 pm, he allegedly slit the throats of his wife, aged 31, and their two sons, aged four years and 18 months respectively. Following these killings, the accused called his father and confessed to the crimes before fleeing in his car.
Police investigations have revealed more details about the sequence of events. A senior officer noted that the timeline indicates the girl was likely killed last. After taking her to his village and leaving her in the car, he reportedly had an argument with his wife, which led to the murder of his wife and children. He then returned to the car and killed the teenager.
The accused abandoned his vehicle near a railway track, about seven kilometers from where his body was eventually found. Items recovered from his pocket included bus tickets, suggesting he may have intended to travel to a familiar place. His body was discovered near his uncle's residence in a village roughly 25 kilometers from his home. Police found a bottle containing poison or herbicide next to his body, and a suicide note in the form of a 2 minute 26 second video on his phone, in which he expressed being "fed up" with "everything" and indicated an intention to end his life. The body has been sent for postmortem, and the poison bottle is undergoing forensic analysis.
The police have stated that since the accused is now deceased, the precise motives behind the multiple murders remain unclear. The case is currently on "action awaited" status.
This horrific episode has sent shockwaves through the local community and highlights the grave consequences of stalking and related crimes. The girl's family, already traumatized by the stalking complaint and legal proceedings, suffered devastating losses. The accused's actions also resulted in the deaths of his innocent wife and young children, compounding the tragedy.
Authorities had been conducting a manhunt for the accused following the murders. The killings took place both in the town where the girl's family lived and in the man's native village, both located just a few kilometers from Hyderabad, Telangana's capital city.
This case brings to light the complexities and dangers surrounding cases of stalking and sexual offences against minors. It also underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in preventing such tragedies, even after legal processes such as anticipatory bail have been granted.
The investigation continues as forensic results are awaited, and police officials have appealed for public cooperation. The incident has prompted discussions on the adequacy of measures to protect victims of stalking and harassment, and the mental health support available to accused individuals to prevent escalation to violence.
The report on this case was compiled by Nikhila Henry, Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Hyderabad. With over 17 years of journalistic experience, Henry is a respected voice covering South Indian affairs, politics, education, and social justice. Her expertise in reporting on sensitive social issues adds depth and context to the coverage of this tragic case.
In summary, the incident in Ranga Reddy district is a harrowing account of stalking leading to multiple murders and suicide. The accused, who had been legally pursued for stalking a teenage girl, killed six people-three from the girl's family and three from his own-before ending his life. The investigation remains open as authorities seek to understand the full circumstances behind these tragic events.