Hyderabad: A 50-year-old Army subedar, P Kumar Goud, was allegedly bludgeoned to death by his wife and in-laws at his residence in Military Colony, Medak town, on June 7. The attack followed a confrontation over his suspected extramarital affairs.
Arrests and Remand
The subedar's wife Padma, her parents, and her brother were produced before a local court on Monday and remanded in judicial custody. Police said seven other accused, including neighbours and relatives, are absconding.
Initial Deception
According to Medak Town police, at around 1:30 pm on June 7, Kumar Goud's father-in-law Rama Kista Goud called the defence personnel's elder brother, P Ravinder Goud, claiming that Kumar was experiencing breathing difficulties and was being shifted to a hospital. When Ravinder reached the Government Hospital in Medak, he found Kumar dead. Ravinder noticed multiple injuries on Kumar's body and approached police with a complaint.
Police arrived at the hospital and sent the body for a post-mortem examination. They took Kumar's wife Padma, her parents Rama Kista Goud and Yellamma, and her brother Santosh into custody for questioning.
Medak Town inspector D Mahesh said that the family initially attempted to mislead Kumar's relatives by claiming he died due to a sudden illness. "But the family members noticed injury marks on the body and approached us," the inspector stated.
Complaint and Confession
In his complaint, Ravinder Goud stated that Kumar had served in the Army for about 30 years and was last posted in Uttarakhand. He had come home on leave a month ago.
"Kumar's wife Padma, her parents Rama Kista Goud and Yellamma, and her brother Santosh were frequently quarrelling with Kumar, alleging that he had illicit relationships with other women. They attacked my brother when he was at home on Saturday night and killed him," Ravinder stated.
During interrogation, Padma, her parents, and her brother reportedly confessed to committing the murder after noticing Kumar entering the house with two other women on CCTV footage around 7:30 pm. "Three CCTV cameras were installed at Kumar's house, and Padma had access to the feed. She saw two women entering the house with Kumar on Saturday night," the inspector said.
Murder Details
At 9:30 pm, the accused went to Kumar's house in two cars with seven others. They caught Kumar red-handed with the two women. The women were roughed up and chased away. Subsequently, the accused attacked Kumar with sticks, and he died from his injuries. The next day, they shifted him to the hospital, claiming he suffered a sudden illness. Kumar was declared brought dead at the hospital.
A case was registered under Sections 103(1) (Murder) and 238 (Causing disappearance of evidence, or giving false information to screen offender), read with 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on June 7.
"Seven other accused, who are neighbours and relatives of Padma's family, are absconding," the inspector added.
