Kovvur Bridge | Source: DC Library

Kakinada: A fresh development has emerged in the investigation into the suicide of Pithapuram Assistant Engineer K Nookaraju’s family in Kakinada district. Police have registered another case against Shaik Sadiq Khan following a complaint by Bhaskar Reddy, father of Nookaraju’s son-in-law Jagadish Reddy.

Nookaraju, along with his wife Meena and daughter Sowjanya, and grandson(10)  went missing in the Godavari river after allegedly jumping from the Rajamahendravaram bridge, with a note reportedly blaming a local shooting-academy operator, Sadiq Khan, for harassment

In his complaint, Bhaskar Reddy alleged that his son Jagadish Reddy was murdered on July 2 after being administered a poisonous injection. He also expressed suspicion that another person may have been involved along with Sadiq Khan.
A separate case had already been registered over allegations that harassment by Sadiq Khan drove Nookaraju’s family to suicide.
Bhaskar Reddy told police that he learnt additional details after speaking to his grandson Karthikeya Reddy, who survived the suicide bid. During the investigation, police reportedly found three covers in a vehicle belonging to Nookaraju’s daughter, Soujanya. Police also recovered a letter allegedly written by Soujanya in which she raised suspicions over her husband Jagadish Reddy’s death.
According to the contents of the letter, Soujanya alleged that Sadiq Khan threatened and blackmailed her and was responsible for her husband’s death. She further alleged that he obtained details relating to her property, mobile phone and SBI locker, pressured her to change her religion, and threatened to kill her family. The letter reportedly stated that the family was taking the extreme step because they were unable to endure the alleged harassment.
Police are investigating the allegations, including the circumstances surrounding Jagadish Reddy’s death and the possible involvement of others.
On Monday evening, Nookaraju’s body was recovered. The search for his wife Meena and daughter Soujanya is still on. About 20 personnel from the police, divers, and SDRF are involved in the search.
Meanwhile, Rajamahendravaram and Kakinada police have formed 10 teams to hunt for the alleged accused, Sadiq Khan. Police said there were several previous allegations against Sadiq and have intensified the investigation.
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