GST Department Employee Arrested for Repeatedly Assaulting Minor Girl
Rayudu urged the public not to hide cases of sexual assault, harassment, or blackmail involving minors and to report such incidents immediately
TIRUPATI: A senior assistant in the GST Department in Tirupati has been arrested for repeatedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl and threatening her with blackmail. The accused, Rammurthi (51) is the husband of the victim's aunt.
According to police, Rammurthi assaulted the girl multiple times at his residence in Tirupati and at other locations, against her will. He had saved private photos and chat messages shared with the victim through phone and ShareChat, and used these to threaten her, warning that he would post the content on social media if she did not come when called. He also threatened to kill her parents if she told anyone about the assaults.
The victim's parents came to know about the matter and filed a complaint at the Jagadgirigutta police station in Telangana. Officers there registered a Zero FIR and transferred the case to Tirupati East police station, which has jurisdiction over the matter. A case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at East police station. On the directions of Tirupati District Superintendent of Police L. Subba Rayudu, DSP M. Bhaktavatsalam led the investigation and gathered evidence.
During the probe, police also found that the victim's aunt, Manasa, who works as a Deputy Tahsildar at Railway Koduru, had tried to help Rammurthi escape legal action. Both accused were arrested on Thursday and produced before a court, which sent them to judicial remand.
Rayudu urged the public not to hide cases of sexual assault, harassment, or blackmail involving minors and to report such incidents immediately. He assured that the identity of victims will be protected and that strict legal action will be taken against offenders.
