Telangana: 18-year-old rape victim found dead in state-run home

Hyderabad: An 18-year-old woman who had been living in a state-run home at Allwyn Colony, died under suspicious conditions on Saturday night. Police said she was being treated for tuberculosis. A case of suspicious death has been registered at Jagathgirigutta police station. The young woman had been living in the state home after she was raped at the age of 14. She had given birth to a child as a result.

Balala Hakkula Sangham, the child rights group, has demanded a proper inquiry into the death and alleged that the women and child welfare department had handed over the girl to a trust instead of taking care of her themselves. The victim, who was an orphan, originally from Delhi, was employed in a hotel whose owner raped her. She was then taken to the state-run home in Allwyn Colony. Her child lived with her.

A few months ago she was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was undergoing treatment. A week ago she was admitted to Gandhi Hospital, where she underwent a surgery also. She was discharged from the hospital on Thursday and shifted back to the home. On Saturday morning, the staff of the home found her dead in her room and alerted the police.

Based on a complaint from the superintendent of the home, a case of suspicious death has been registered. “Prima facie, she died of illness. Based on the autopsy report, we will proceed with the investigation,” said Inspector P. Srinivas, of the Jagathgirigutta police. The little girl, who is less than three years old, will be shifted to the Shishu Griha, the police said. Balala Hakkula Sangham has demanded a high-level inquiry into the deaths at government-run homes for women and the way they are run.