A 29-year-old married woman was discovered dead under suspicious circumstances at Gol Thanda village in Tirumalayapalem mandal of Khammam district on Thursday night. The deceased has been identified as Banoth Meenakshi. Police stated that her body was found hanging at her residence, but family members have alleged that her husband murdered her for insurance money and attempted to make the death appear as suicide.
Background of the Case
According to police, Meenakshi and her husband Shivaji (34), a contract employee in the electricity department, had been married for 14 years. Family members claimed that the couple had been experiencing marital issues for some time and that Meenakshi had faced physical and mental harassment in the past. In their complaint, relatives alleged that financial distress and an insurance policy in Meenakshi's name could have been the motive behind the incident. They stated that the family was burdened with debts of nearly ₹80 lakh and that Meenakshi held an insurance policy worth ₹1 crore. They accused Shivaji of planning to claim the insurance amount and conspiring to kill Meenakshi. However, police noted that the insurance angle has not yet been confirmed.
Investigation Underway
Meanwhile, videos circulating on social media allegedly show Shivaji assaulting Meenakshi on earlier occasions. Investigators are examining the authenticity of these videos, including when they were recorded and by whom. Sub-inspector K Jagadeesh said police are investigating allegations of domestic violence and suspicious death. He added that further sections would be added if evidence points to homicide, but murder charges have not yet been invoked as the investigation is still underway.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence and financial motives in marital disputes. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as they continue to gather evidence.
