Three people arrested for rape and murder of 21-year-old woman in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh

GUNTUR: In a major development, Bapatla police on Saturday arrested three persons on suspicion of rape and murder of a 21-year-old woman at Epurupalem village in Chirala mandal of Bapatla district.

The accused were identified as Devarakonda Vijay (26), K Mahesh (22) and Devarakonda Srikanth (24).

The details of the case were revealed: Bapatla SP Vakul Jindal on June 21 found the main accused Vijay and Mahesh in an intoxicated state sexually assaulting and suffocating the woman, who had left her home to relieve herself, alone near the railway track. The third accused Srikanth was arrested for helping and supporting both the accused.

After receiving a complaint from her mother P. Kamakshi, the police filed a complaint under sections 302 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code. On the instructions of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, DGP Dwaraka Tirumala Rao and Guntur Range DIG Sarvasreshta Tripathi, the police formed as many as ten special teams to trace the accused.

The FSL and forensic team collected evidence at the crime scene, identified the accused, found them at a restaurant on Vodarevu Road and arrested them within 48 hours of the incident being reported.

It may be noted that the Home Minister, who visited the crime scene and offered condolences to the bereaved family members, announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the family. SP also informed that an FIR will be filed on the basis of all the evidence collected and all necessary action will be taken to ensure that the accused are punished strictly.