Deaf Father in Telangana Arrested for Alleged Murder of Two-Year-Old Daughter
A deeply disturbing case has emerged from rural Telangana, where a 30-year-old private worker has been arrested for the alleged murder of his own two-year-old daughter. The incident occurred in Hanmapuram village, located within the Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Family Dispute Turns Deadly
The accused, identified as A Sriram, is a deaf and speech-impaired individual who works at a water plant in Hanmapuram. The tragic events unfolded on Wednesday morning when Sriram's father-in-law, K Mallaiah, an auto driver from Anand Nagar Colony in Hayathnagar, arrived at his daughter's home. Mallaiah intended to take his daughter Nagamani and his granddaughter Nithyasri back to his own residence for a visit.
Sriram reportedly refused to allow them to leave, leading to a heated quarrel. At approximately 8:30 AM, Sriram assaulted his wife and forcibly took the child from Mallaiah. He then left the premises with Nithyasri on a motorcycle, prompting immediate concern for the toddler's safety.
Desperate Search and Tragic Discovery
Fearing the worst, Mallaiah, accompanied by Sriram's elder brother A Raju, followed on another bike. They initially searched near the family's agricultural well but could not locate Sriram. While at the farm, Sriram made a video call to Raju, who then left Mallaiah behind to meet his brother privately.
"Half an hour later, when I called Raju, he told me that Nithyasri was in a critical condition and asked me to come to Bhuvanagiri area hospital," Mallaiah recounted to the police. Rushing to the hospital with his daughter, Mallaiah was met with the devastating news that Nithyasri had been declared dead by the attending doctors.
Police Investigation and Conflicting Accounts
According to Bhuvanagiri Rural sub-inspector M Anil Kumar, Mallaiah alleged that Sriram took the baby to the outskirts of Hanmapuram village and smothered her. The motive, as per the complaint, was that Sriram did not want his wife and daughter to visit his in-laws' house.
Sriram and his wife Nagarani, who is also deaf and speech-impaired, were married three years ago. Their daughter Nithyasri was born on May 5, 2024. Mallaiah further alleged that harassment from Sriram and his family members began within three months of the marriage and continued even after the child's birth.
Based on Mallaiah's formal complaint, Bhuvanagiri police registered a case under Section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against Sriram. The accused has presented a conflicting version of events, claiming that he accidentally smothered the child while attempting to stop her from crying. The police produced Sriram before a local court, and he was subsequently sent to judicial remand at Cherlapally prison on Thursday as the investigation continues to determine the precise circumstances of this heartbreaking tragedy.
