Warangal Police Crack Down on Gruesome Family Murder Case, Arrest Ten Including Husband
In a shocking development from Warangal, police have made significant arrests in the tragic case of a pregnant woman and her two young daughters found dead in a private swimming pool. Approximately ten days after the bodies were discovered on the outskirts of the city, authorities on Friday apprehended ten individuals, with the woman's husband, Md Azharuddin, identified as the prime accused.
Husband's Motive Revealed: Female Foetus and Desire for Male Child
According to Warangal Police Commissioner Sunpreeth Singh, the investigation has uncovered a harrowing motive behind the murders. Md Azharuddin allegedly killed his wife, Md Farhana (26), their two daughters aged nine and five, and her unborn foetus after learning through an illegal prenatal sex determination test that the foetus was female. Police reports indicate that Azharuddin intended to marry a minor girl in the hope of fathering a male child, driven by a deep-seated preference for sons.
Arrests Include Family Members and Medical Facilitators
The arrested individuals extend beyond the immediate family, highlighting a network involved in the crime. Alongside Azharuddin, his parents, Md Chand Pasha and Saleema, and his brother, Sharfuddin, have been taken into custody for allegedly assisting in the murders. Additionally, several medical professionals and intermediaries face charges for facilitating the illegal sex determination test. These include:
- Satla Raju, a medical shop owner
- L Ramesh, an RMP practitioner
- Dr Balne Parthu of Nekkonda mandal
- Manohar, a lab technician from Shayampet
- B Sravanthi, a nurse in Kazipet
- V Bhadru, a mediator
Police have noted that two gynaecologists, B Purnima and S Ravali, allegedly involved in the case, are currently absconding and efforts are underway to locate them.
Sequence of Events: From Sex Determination to Murder Plot
The investigation traces the sequence of events back to March, when Azharuddin allegedly forced his wife to undergo a sex determination test. He initially contacted Satla Raju, who connected him with an RMP named Naresh from Kondaparthy in Kazipet mandal, along with lab technician Manohar. This group reportedly took the couple to Suraksha Hospital in Kazipet, where Dr S Ravali and nurse Sravanthi conducted the test. Upon confirming the foetus was female, Azharuddin is said to have conspired with his parents to execute the murders.
Murder Details: Pretext of Celebration and Drowning in Pool
On April 1, Azharuddin took his family to his farmhouse near Punnelu village on the outskirts of Warangal, under the guise of celebrating his younger daughter's birthday. The family, who resided in the village where Azharuddin operated a cement and brick manufacturing unit, was led to the pool area. At the farmhouse, he allegedly disconnected CCTV cameras and cut off the power supply before pushing his wife and daughters into the pool. Police state that he remained at the scene until they drowned, then raised an alarm in an attempt to pass off the deaths as accidental. He also informed Farhana's parents about the incident.
Father's Suspicion Leads to Police Complaint and Arrests
Farhana's father, S K Ali, grew suspicious upon seeing the bodies in the pool and promptly lodged a complaint with the police. This action triggered the formation of special investigation teams, leading to Azharuddin's arrest on the outskirts of the village. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime, providing crucial details that aided the police in apprehending the other accused.
Legal Charges and Additional Offenses
Azharuddin has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 103 for murder, Section 106(1) for causing death by negligence, and Section 238 for causing disappearance of evidence. The other accused face charges under Section 23 of the PCPNDT Act for involvement in sex selection and prenatal sex determination. Furthermore, Azharuddin has been charged under Sections 11 and 12 of the POCSO Act for allegedly attempting to marry a minor, based on a complaint from her father who stated that the accused continued to pursue her despite repeated rejections.
This case underscores severe issues related to gender-based violence and illegal medical practices in India, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of laws against sex determination and child protection.
