Miryalaguda Fire Deaths Turn Out Murder
The victims were identified as Vanam Chandramma, 48, and her grandchildren, Laxman, 17, and Pranathi, 15. They died after fire engulfed their house on June 5
Nalgonda: Kalahsthi Shirish Kumar, 38, allegedly set three members of a family afire at Kalalwadi in Miryalaguda to kill them over a personal grudge, police said on Sunday.
The victims were identified as Vanam Chandramma, 48, and her grandchildren, Laxman, 17, and Pranathi, 15. They died after fire engulfed their house on June 5.
Nalgonda SP Sharath Chandra Pawar said the incident was initially suspected to be a fire accident, but investigation showed it was a pre-planned murder. A bucket smelling of petrol was found behind the house, raising suspicion.
Police said Shirish Kumar, a native of Vullapalem in Singarayakonda mandal of Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh, had a history of theft and cheating women. He allegedly targeted women on matrimonial websites and collected money from them after promising marriage.
Police said he had similarly cheated Dhana Lakshmi, mother of Laxman and Pranathi, and had developed a grudge against her after she kept away from him and did not help him secure bail in a cheating case registered at Hajipur.
Shirish Kumar allegedly entered the house on the night of June 5, poured petrol on the family members while they were asleep and set them on fire. Dhana Lakshmi had left for Pune a day earlier to work as a domestic worker.
Miryalaguda Town-I police arrested Shirish Kumar in Miryalaguda. Police said he confessed during questioning.