According to the complaint filed on April 25, 2024, the victim’s mother alleged that while she was away at work, the accused repeatedly molested and assaulted his daughter since she was in Class 5, threatening to kill her if she revealed the abuse.
HYDERABAD: Alwal police arrested three youths for allegedly sexually assaulting three minor girls at a lodge in Yadagirigutta, along with the lodge owner for providing rooms without verifying the occupants’ age. Alwal inspector A. Prashanth identified the accused as Gandikoth Madhu, 19, a GHMC contract employee; Gaddam Vamsi Arvind, 22, an employee at a shopping mall; and his relative I. Neeraj, 21, is a petrol pump worker. The lodge owner was identified as Somesh.
On September 20, the three minors, all classmates, left home without informing their parents. When they failed to return by evening, the parents lodged a missing persons complaint with the Alwal police.
According to police, the girls met Madhu at a hotel near Secunderabad. Though some reports claimed he had been in touch with one of the girls for six months, investigators said it was their first meeting. Madhu called Vamsi and Neeraj, and the trio persuaded the girls to accompany them to Yadagirigutta.
After visiting the temple, the group booked three rooms at the lodge of Somesh. Police said the accused sexually assaulted the minors there. The next day, they returned to Hyderabad by bus and dropped the girls at the meeting point.
The victims later disclosed the incident to their parents, who informed the police. “The victims were subjected to medical tests, which confirmed sexual assault,” the inspector said. The case, initially registered as a missing person complaint, was altered to include charges under the Pocso Act. Somesh was also arrested.
Medchal ACP Ch. Shankar Reddy warned that lodge owners and hotel staff who provide rooms to minors without age verification would face criminal action. “Last month, we issued notices to several lodges for similar violations. This case should serve as a stark reminder,” he said.
All the accused have been remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway.
