Shabad Killings: ₹2 Lakh Reward for Info on Accused Rajkumar

Future City police commissioner Tarun Joshi said the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential and their security guaranteed.

Those with information can contact the Chevella Police Control Room on 8712665324 via phone call or WhatsApp.

Investigation monitoring cell to speed up Pocso cases: Sajjanar

The ‘investigation monitoring cell,’ established by Hyderabad city police department, which is constantly working to add technology in its case investigations, will help speed up vital cases, especially those related to Pocso Act and cases against women and children, said city police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar on Saturday.

Sajjanar said the monitoring cell will help take every case forward in the most armed way due to close observation of the case from the initial investigation level. With proper collection of evidence without loopholes, it will make sure the accused are convicted and punished severely in the courts, he said.

Sajjanar said as a part of this, the investigation monitoring cell has initiated positive changes in the investigation process of cases. As the field level investigation is closely monitored by this special unit, the quality of the investigation along with the conviction rate in the courts is gradually increasing, he pointed out.

The cell has played a vital role in the convictions of several key cases, among them is the recent case of a boy’s murder in Sanathnagar police station limits, in which the accused was sentenced to death by the court, Sajjanar said.

The commissioner admitted stating in the past, due to lack of time or technical know-how, there were minor errors in the investigation of some cases that allowed the accused to escape from the courts easily. Composed of experienced police officers and legal experts, the department stands as a compass for the investigating officers in the field.

The cell helps at every step to adopt scientific methods in crucial phases like arrest of accused, collection of digital and forensic evidence and identification of witnesses, the commissioner explained.

Besides monitoring the filing of charge sheets in the courts within the stipulated time, the cell coordinates with the public prosecutors to ensure smooth progress of the court proceedings, he said.

Conviction statistics are the direct evidence of the changes brought about by this monitoring cell at the field level. In six months, in all grave and non-grave cases, the courts have sentenced the accused in about 2,469 cases. Out of that, the courts have sentenced more than 20 years in 18 cases, life imprisonment in 12 cases and hanging in one case.

A special liaison officer has been appointed for each court. These officers are continuously monitoring all the trials going on in the courts every day. During the hearing of the cases, they coordinate the timely presentation of the necessary evidence to the court and ensure that the key witnesses appear in the court on time.

Cops probe stacked bricks angle in Shabad murders

Police investigating the Shabad mass murders said seven cement bricks found stacked at the crime scene near Nagarkunta lake have raised fresh suspicions. The bricks were collected on Saturday as part of forensic evidence.

Officials disclosed that the accused, P. Rajkumar, is mentally unstable and has a criminal record, including assaults and threats over land disputes. They are now probing whether the stacked bricks symbolised not just the six murders committed on Friday night but also the earlier death of the minor girl’s father, which had been believed to be due to a heart attack.

Investigators suspect Rajkumar may have exploited the father’s alcohol addiction and could have played a role in his death. Police are examining all angles, including whether the stacking of seven bricks was intended to indicate seven killings.

Shabad murders: SI suspended for negligence

Rangareddy district collector C. Narayana Reddy on Saturday announced the suspension of Shabad sub‑inspector Ramesh for negligence in handling the Pocso case linked to the mass murder in Devtalguda. He said strict action would be taken against all officials found negligent.

Police added that the investigation has been expedited with additional teams formed to trace the accused, using technical evidence, CCTV footage and toll plaza details.

Shahbad killings: Kin want accused encountered

Traffic came to a standstill for over an hour on Saturday after relatives of the murdered minor girl, her mother and grandmother staged a protest on the main road between Shabad and Kandi in Rangareddy district.

A long queue of lorries and cars was seen on the highway as irate villagers squatted on the road, raising slogans demanding that police kill the accused Rajkumar in an encounter. They warned that if police failed to act, he should be handed over to them.

One of the girl’s relatives, Naresh, criticised the police for inept handling of the case and blamed sub‑inspector Ramesh for negligence.

Mild tension prevailed when protestors opposed the arrival of MLA Kale Yadaiah. A heated argument broke out, forcing police to shift the legislator safely from the spot.

Collector announces ₹5 lakh ex gratia after protests

The protesters relented after Rangareddy district collector C. Narayan Reddy and police officials held discussions with them. He announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh to the kin of the three victims.

Speaking to villagers and relatives of the three women, the collector said the sub‑inspector had been placed under suspension for alleged negligence in handling the Pocso case. He assured stern action against the accused and announced ₹5 lakh ex gratia.

As the minor girl’s elder sister is differently‑abled, the administration would take steps to admit her either in a government‑run institute or a private one. In response, villagers demanded ₹25 lakh compensation in the interest of the girl. Officials assured that the demand would be examined.

Explaining the incident to media persons earlier, Future City police commissioner Tarun Joshi said Rajkumar had been absconding for two weeks after a case was booked against him under provisions of Pocso and BNS on May 16. He said Rajkumar managed to secure anticipatory bail and switched off his mobile phone. Seven police teams have been formed to trace him.

Toddler falls to death from 2nd floor in Bhainsa

A two-year-old girl, Keerthy, died after accidentally falling from the second floor of a building in Rahulnagar, Bhainsa town in Nirmal district while playing on Friday evening, police said.

Keerthy was the daughter of Madhav Singh and Priyanka, a couple who had migrated from Rajasthan. According to police, the accident occurred when the girl was playing and accidentally fell from the building. She suffered severe head injuries and died on the spot.

Police registered a case and are investigating the incident.