Andhra Horror: Neighbour Accused Of 7-Year-Old’s Rape, Murder Commits Suicide; Body Found In Lake

New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events, Kulvardhan, the prime suspect in the brutal rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl in Madanapalle, was found dead on Wednesday. His body was discovered in the Kanasanivaripalle Lake in Kurabalakota, with police confirming it as a case of death by suicide. 

The accused had been on the run since Tuesday after the minor's body was found stuffed in a water drum at his residence. 

Following the discovery of his body in the lake today, police officials arrived at the scene and transported the remains to Madanapalle for further procedures. 

Authorities noted that Kulvardhan had absconded immediately after the crime was committed, evading capture as public outrage and protests intensified across the Annamayya district.

What was the case?

A wave of grief and fury gripped Madanapalle town of Annamayya district in Andhra Pradesh after a seven-year-old girl, who had been missing since Monday, was found dead after being brutally raped and murdered. 

The body of the minor was discovered on Tuesday, concealed inside a water drum and it is learnt that the accused- Kulavardhan (30)- who lived near the victim’s house had kept the body in his room overnight after committing the heinous offence.

As per the cops, the accused, who was a drug and alcohol-addict, first assaulted the child and then drowned her in a water drum.

CCTV Footage Leads to Arrest

The victim, a Class 2 student, went missing on Monday evening while playing near her house, prompting an extensive search by family and locals.

The breakthrough came after police analysed CCTV footage from the neighborhood and it reportedly showed Kulvardhan, luring the child into his home. Although officers visited the suspect’s house around 1.30 am, they left after seeing him asleep through a window.

When police raided the suspect's house in the morning, they discovered the child's body stuffed inside a drum.  

Preliminary reports suggest the child may have been murdered on Sunday night or Monday, though police are awaiting post-mortem results to confirm if there was any sexual assault involved.

Public Outrage and Road Blockades

As the news of the gruesome discovery spread, hundreds of angry residents and relatives gathered to protest. The situation turned volatile as protesters blocked major highways leading to Bengaluru and Tirupati, causing massive traffic snarls for several hours.

A sit-in protest was held outside the Madanapalle police station, with the girl's parents demanding that the accused be handed over to the public for immediate punishment.

Police forces were deployed in large numbers to prevent the crowd from attacking the suspect's house or the police station.

Investigation Underway

The child’s body has been shifted to the government hospital for an autopsy, and the district administration has promised the grieving family that the case will be fast-tracked to ensure justice.

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