Facing YSRCP heat over rape, murder cases, Chandrababu Naidu tells police to complete probes, ensure justice

Indian Express

a day ago

The murder of a 14-year-old girl and the gang rape of a minor in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai districts, respectively, has put the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led NDA government in the state on the back foot, with the Opposition Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) accusing it of failing to ensure women's safety.
Facing criticism, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting at his residence late Tuesday and directed police officials to complete the investigation into both cases and ensure justice for the victims and their families.
In the first incident, on June 3, a 14-year-old girl stepped out of her home in Anantapur to buy a soft drink but did not return home. Two days later, her half-burnt body was found behind a school. On June 10, the police said they had cracked the case by arresting a tile worker who stayed near the house of the deceased girl and was allegedly in a relationship with her.
P Jagadeesh, Superintendent of Police (SP), Anantapur, said that K Naresh, 27, the accused arrested in the case, was married but was involved with the minor girl. According to a police official, on the evening of June 3, Naresh and the girl allegedly fought after he refused to leave his wife. 'He took her on his motorcycle, saying they could sort the issue out, but instead, he took her to a lonely place and hit her with a rock, killing her. He then set the body on fire,' a police official said.
The incident sparked widespread protests in Anantapur town and SP Jagadeesh suspended Rajendranath Yadav, Circle Inspector, Anantapur One Town police station, for not taking the missing complaint seriously and not acting promptly.
In the second incident in Sri Sathya Sai district, at least six people allegedly sexually assaulted a minor girl, repeatedly for at least three months, and filmed the act, threatening her not to disclose it. The gang rape came to light when the girl became pregnant and her parents lodged a police complaint. The police booked the six accused under various sections of relevant Acts, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and are looking for three others allegedly involved in the incident.
Even as Naidu expressed deep anguish over the incidents and directed officials that the accused must be punished without delay, the YSRCP attacked the government, saying the coalition government is failing to protect women, and demanded accountability.
Varudu Kalyani, YSRCP MLC and women's wing president, condemned the state government for its failure to ensure women's safety and accused it of enabling a surge in rapes and murders due to negligence and complicity.
'Under TDP's rule, women live in fear. The government's inaction has turned protectors into predators,' she said. The YSRCP is planning to hold protests statewide to highlight the issue of the lack of women's safety. 'Mere suspension of police officials for the rapes and murder is not enough. This is nothing short of a state-sponsored murder. CM Naidu, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, and Home Minister Anitha Vangalapudi are shirking moral responsibility. They should resign,' she said.
The YSRCP is blaming the rise in atrocities against women on unchecked liquor and drug proliferation under the TDP's governance. 'The TDP-led government is enabling 'door-delivery' of intoxicants, fuelling crimes against women,' YSRCP leader R K Roja said. 'TDP leaders are directly responsible for these heinous acts,' she said, urging immediate action to curb substance abuse and ensure justice.
Botsa Satyanarayana, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, said that the party will intensify its fight for women's safety, saying, 'We will not rest until justice is served and women are protected.'
In his meeting with top officials, including Chief Secretary K Vijayanand, DGP Harish Kumar Gupta, Intelligence Chief Mahesh Chandra Laddha, Naidu addressed concerns about substance abuse and said that potential offenders should be aware of the swift and strict action taken by law enforcement.
Naidu also underscored the need to send a strong message that whether a crime is committed in a fit of rage, under the influence of drugs, or in a planned manner, punishment is inevitable. He issued strict instructions to crack down on ganja gangs and stated that the police are being given complete freedom to act. 'A 100 per cent visible change must be achieved,' he asserted.