Tirupati: The Prakasam district police have apprehended a couple responsible for the brutal attack on a Dalit woman and her mother at the SC Colony of Botlapalem village in Darsi mandal. The attack in the early hours of August 15 was the culmination of a dispute relating to an inter-caste marriage.
The victims, Kamunuri Mounika (28) and her mother J. Anuradha, were assaulted by the accused couple, Gagireddy Brahma Reddy (52) and G. Pullamma (48), residents of the same village. The assailants used knives and chili powder during the attack, causing serious injuries to the victims, besides stripping the 28-year-old woman, tying her, and attempting to burn her alive.
According to SP Malika Garg, the victims were ambushed while they were fetching water from a tap near their home around midnight. “The attackers sprayed chili powder into their eyes, abused them by referring to their caste status and then launched a physical assault using knives. Anuradha managed to escape, but Mounika bore the brunt of the attack.
“The accused stabbed Mounika and subsequently forced her into their house some 500 metres away. They tied her up, beat her up and tried to set her ablaze by dousing petrol on her. However, a distress call to the Dial-100 prompted action from the police. Home Guard personnel were sent to the scene. They saved the victim from the brink of death,” the SP told the media on Wednesday.
Mounika's younger brother, J. Sairam, had married the daughter of the accused, Bhargavi. Seeking protection, the couple had approached the police, leading to counselling sessions. Bhargavi expressed her willingness to live with Sairam.
“However, resentment continued among the accused couple and the relatives. The relatives assaulted Mounika and her mother on March 15. A case was registered at the Darsi police station, followed by issuance of notices under Section 41(A) of Cr PC”, the SP said.
Despite the filing of a charge-sheet against the accused couple and seven others, they went ahead and assaulted Mounika and her mother. The accused were arrested at East Gangavaram bus stand in the Thallur mandal on Wednesday.
