In a significant breakthrough, the Prakasam district police in Andhra Pradesh have successfully solved a horrific case involving the gang rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl, leading to the arrest of three accused men after an intensive, months-long investigation.
Months of Investigation Culminate in Arrests
The police made the crucial arrests on Tuesday, with the accused individuals confessing to the heinous crime that occurred in June 2024. The case had remained a challenging puzzle for investigators for several months.
The incident dates back to June 23, 2024, when the decomposed body of an unidentified individual was discovered near a village in the Maddipadu mandal. Initially, the case was registered under Section 174 of the Cr.P.C. (suspicious death). However, the investigation took a grave turn on November 22, 2024, when the case was upgraded to murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code after a post-mortem examination confirmed that the victim died due to throttling.
Charges Upgraded to Include Gang Rape of a Minor
As the probe deepened, further charges were added. The police invoked Sections 376(D)(A) read with 34 IPC for gang rape and Section 6 read with 5(g) of the POCSO Act, given the victim was a minor. The identification of the deceased was a major hurdle due to the body's decomposed state.
Police teams meticulously combed through missing persons reports across Prakasam and neighboring districts. Their persistence paid off when the girl's mother identified her on February 14, 2025. Advanced scientific and digital forensic methods were instrumental in confirming the victim's identity, allowing the investigation to proceed with a clear focus.
Accused Arrested After Fleeing Across States
The three arrested suspects have been identified as Duddela Chenna Krishna (26), Devaraju Vamsi (26), and Dabbukottu Kotaiah (28). Following the crime, they had fled the area and scattered across various districts, including Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Guntur, and Nellore. To evade capture, they took up petty jobs and tried to blend in.
During interrogation, the accused confessed to the sequence of events. They admitted to luring the young girl to an isolated field, forcing alcohol on her, committing the gang rape, and subsequently strangling her to death in an attempt to silence her forever.
A Closure Sought for the Grieving Family
The arrest brings a measure of closure to a tragic case that has shocked the local community. The Prakasam police's dedicated efforts over several months, utilizing both traditional investigative techniques and modern forensic tools, have been pivotal in delivering justice. The case underscores the severe legal repercussions for crimes against minors under the stringent POCSO Act.
The accused are now in judicial custody and will face trial for their alleged crimes. The police have stated that the investigation is complete, with the confessions and collected evidence forming a strong case for the prosecution.
