Telangana rape-murder accused killed: Police confirm encounter; leaders, family members react

Hyderabad: All the four accused in the rape and murder of a woman veterinarian were killed in an encounter with Telangana Police early on Friday (December 6), Cyberabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar confirmed.

According to the police, all the four accused were taken to the scene of the crime, where the charred body of the veterinarian  doctor was found. When the accused attempted to escape from the spot, the police shot them.

Cyberabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said, "The accused Mohammed Arif, Naveen, Shiva and Chennakeshavulu were killed in a police encounter at Chatanpally, Shadnagar today (December 6) in the wee hours, between 3 am and 6 am. I have reached the spot and further details will be revealed."

Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao has not paid any visit to the victim's family.  It has been ten days since the death of the veterinary doctor. However, it is reportedly said he would be meeting the victim's family members today (December 6).

Meanwhile, the veterinary doctor's father said, "The four accused have been killed ten days after my daughter died. I express my gratitude towards the police and the government for this. My daughter's soul must be at peace now."

BJP leader, Uma Bharathi took to Twitter and hailed the Telangana Police. 

Taking to Twitter, Uma Bharathi said in Hindi, "Grief of the family whose daughter died after suffering will never be alleviated, but that sister's (rape victim) soul will get peace and the fear among other girls of India will be lessened. Jai Telangana Police."

Telangana BJP chief spokesperson K Krishna Saagar Rao said, "The incident of the encounter is still premature to react. The Telangana DGP should make an official statement outlining the entire incident. As a responsible national party, BJP will react after official police statement."

"Disha gang rape and murder is a horrendous crime, BJP has condemned it, and as a responsible opposition, the party has also pressured the Telangana state government to act and bring the accused to justice," he further said. 

Speaking to Newsable, the uncle of the veterinarian said that the encounter that killed the four accused did not help the family members in any way.

"The police shot them down because they tried to escape from them. What would have happened to them if they were still in police custody? What would have the court decided? The court was taking so long to deliver its verdict when the accused themselves accepted the crime. As of today, it has been 10 days since the incident took place. We are holding special prayers at home. And with the news about the death of the four accused, we believe that our child can rest in peace," the victim's uncle said.

He added that the Supreme Court should deliver its verdict on the Nirbhaya case and those culprits should be given capital punishment.

Nirbhaya's father Badrinath Singh said, "I am happy with the encounter because our daughter's rapist is still alive, and we die every day. At least the parents of the Telangana woman won't have to go through this... It would have been worse for the Telangana Police if the accused had escaped. They did a good job."

"I would like to thank the police. I am very happy with the kind of punishment they have got. The police have set an example. The police have done a very good job. There should be no action against the police. Criminals need to be scared of the police. We need this kind of punishment for criminals these days," Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi.

The veterinarian was brutally raped and killed by the accused who burned her body in Shamshabad area on November 27. Her charred body was recovered on November 28.

• Cyberabad Police
• Telangana
• veterinarian