Residents of Villa Orchids in Kowkoor on Monday staging a protest at the office of DCP in Secunderabad demanding stern action against the security guard for killing the five-year-old girl. (Photo: By Arrangement)

HYDERABAD: Residents of Villa Orchids, a gated villa community in Kowkoor, staged a protest at the Begumpet police camp office on Monday, demanding an expedited investigation and trial in the murder of five‑year‑old Aurelia. They questioned security arrangements in gated communities and sought stringent punishment for the accused, former security guard Vikram Kumar.

Police commissioner B. Sumathi interacted with the bereaved family at the camp office, assured them that the investigation would be expedited and said the police would pursue the case in a fast‑track court seeking capital punishment, while following due legal process.

Jayden, the victim’s brother, told Deccan Chronicle that the commissioner had assured the family of her support. “We were informed by the police about his arrest. Our residents also said they would join us in seeking justice,” he said.

Resident Maheshwari said the punishment should reflect the suffering inflicted on the child and her family. “Only then will he understand the pain of the parents,” she said.

Questioning security arrangements, she asked how such a crime could occur within a gated community chosen for safety. “We are residing there and seeing such crimes amidst us is terrifying,” she said.

Usha, a senior HR professional and neighbour of the victim’s family, said she had watched Aurelia grow up and found it difficult to comprehend the family’s grief. She raised concerns over the MyGate application used by residents, saying access controls and information available to service providers could create vulnerabilities. She urged authorities and communities to examine these concerns, pointing out that security personnel have access to residents’ contacts.

Dr Kiran Macha, another resident, praised the police for apprehending the accused within a day but questioned why the trial could not be expedited if evidence had already been gathered.

Malkajgiri DCP Ch. Sridhar told residents that officers too had been emotionally affected by the incident but were bound to follow the legal process. He said the demand for immediate justice and capital punishment was understandable, adding that the Commissioner was working towards pursuing the case in a fast‑track court.

Commissioner Sumathi said the clubhouse cellar had no CCTV cameras and that Vikram Kumar was familiar with the premises, having worked there for about 20 days. He entered the community on the day of the incident claiming he was going to watch Bathukamma celebrations before committing the crime.

She urged resident welfare associations and apartment communities to participate in the Mee Suraksha domestic helpers verification initiative and the Nenu Saitham 2.0 CCTV surveillance programme. Awareness meetings were being conducted to encourage background verification and registration of domestic workers, security personnel and watchmen. A meeting was also held in Villa Orchids urging residents to register details of workers engaged in their homes and community.

Villa Orchids residents also planned a candlelight march on Monday evening to demand justice for Aurelia. They gathered at the gated community to pay tribute to the child and seek an expedited trial and stringent punishment for the accused.


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