Drone Technology Leads to Arrest of Couple in Gruesome Murder Case
In a significant breakthrough, the Paderu police in Visakhapatnam district have successfully apprehended a married couple accused of committing a horrific murder that shocked the local community. The arrest was made possible through the innovative use of modern surveillance technology.
Details of the Heinous Crime
The victim has been identified as Korra Ramanna Dora, a 65-year-old farmer from Chintalapalem tribal hamlet under Paderu police station limits in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district. According to police reports, the elderly man was burned alive inside his own hut on January 23rd following a prolonged financial dispute.
The accused individuals are Vanthala Somanna (39), a farmer by profession, and his wife Vanthala Devi (36), both residents of the same Chintalapalem village. The crime occurred approximately 40 kilometers from Paderu town, in a remote tribal area.
Root Cause: A Loan Dispute Turns Deadly
Paderu police station inspector D Deenbandhu revealed that the tragic incident stemmed from a financial disagreement that had been simmering for nearly two years. The accused couple had borrowed Rs 5,600 from Ramanna but showed consistent reluctance to repay the amount, creating ongoing tension between the parties.
The situation reached its violent climax on January 23rd when Somanna and his wife were waiting near Ramanna's residence to purchase palm toddy. During this encounter, Ramanna and his son Chinnababu once again raised the issue of the outstanding loan repayment.
The Brutal Attack Sequence
What began as a verbal confrontation quickly escalated into physical violence:
- The enraged couple began verbally abusing the father and son
- They suddenly attacked both victims with sharp weapons
- An injured Chinnababu managed to flee the scene to save his life
- The accused then locked the elderly Ramanna inside his thatched hut
- They deliberately set the structure on fire, resulting in Ramanna's tragic death
Technological Manhunt in Dense Forest
Following the crime, the couple fled into the surrounding dense forest area, attempting to evade law enforcement. The Paderu police launched an extensive search operation that presented significant challenges due to the difficult terrain and limited visibility in the forested region.
Inspector Deenbandhu explained their innovative approach: "As the accused were hiding in a dense forest area after committing the crime, our teams used a drone to locate them. This technological assistance proved crucial in tracking their movements and pinpointing their location."
The police effectively surrounded the forest from all sides, creating a containment perimeter that prevented the suspects from escaping. This strategy also cut off their access to food supplies, weakening their resistance during the manhunt.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
The couple was finally arrested on Friday after their location was confirmed through drone surveillance. Police officials confirmed that the accused will be produced before the appropriate court soon to face charges related to the brutal murder.
This case highlights both the extreme violence that can emerge from seemingly ordinary disputes in rural communities and the increasing role of technology in modern law enforcement. The use of drone surveillance represents a significant advancement in police methodology, particularly in challenging geographical areas where traditional search methods might prove inadequate.
The local community in Chintalapalem and surrounding areas has been deeply affected by this tragedy, which serves as a stark reminder of how financial disagreements, when left unresolved, can escalate into unimaginable violence with devastating consequences for all involved parties.
