MADANAPALLE — Annamayya District Superintendent of Police (SP) Dheeraj Kunubilli confirmed on Wednesday that Kulavardhan, the prime suspect in the brutal assault and killing of a minor, was found dead under suspicious circumstances. While the police suspect suicide by drowning, a post-mortem at the Madanapalle Government Hospital is underway to determine the exact cause of death.
The accused had been taken into custody on Tuesday morning after the victim’s body was discovered hidden in a water drum at his residence.
A High-Stakes Escape
The SP revealed that the accused managed to flee while being transported in a police “Rakshak” vehicle.
- The Incident: On Tuesday, as police were shifting Kulavardhan to the station, the vehicle was reportedly blocked by a massive crowd of protesters on the highway demanding an “encounter” or public execution.
- The Lapse: During the chaos of the road blockade, the accused—who was reportedly with the driver—seized the opportunity to escape.
- The Search: Three special teams were immediately deployed for an intensive manhunt, which ended when his body was spotted in a village tank on Wednesday morning.
Government Response: “Serious Note” Taken
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha expressed that the state government has taken a serious view of both the heinous crime and the subsequent escape.
- Drug Link: The Minister stated that preliminary reports suggest the accused was addicted to narcotics and may have committed the crime under the influence.
- Justice Assured: Despite the death of the prime accused, the SP emphasized that the investigation will proceed to its logical conclusion, and all forensic evidence will be thoroughly processed.
Background of the Crime
The case began on Sunday, February 15, when the seven-year-old girl went missing while playing. CCTV footage eventually tracked the child entering the house of Kulavardhan, a powerloom worker who lived directly opposite the victim’s home. On Tuesday, police discovered the child’s body inside a drum; medical reports later confirmed she had been raped and murdered by drowning.
The tragedy had brought Madanapalle to a standstill, with thousands of locals, students, and activists blocking arterial junctions and demanding immediate capital punishment.