The Challapalli police, who is probing the death of a 16-year-old girl hailing from Vakkalagadda in Avanigadda police sub-division, are making efforts to gather evidence in the case. The victim, a first year Intermediate student of a private college at Challapalli, died in a hospital in Vijayawada on October 17.
Vakkalagadda Zilla Parishad High School (ZPHS) headmaster M. Sitaram Prasad and English teacher Ch. Janardhan Prasad, who allegedly lured the girl and sexually assaulted her, are now in judicial remand.
Doctors, who treated the girl, stated that she died owing to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a sudden failure of respiratory system, which could have been occurred due to prolonged illness or major injuries.
According to sources, the headmaster and the teacher repeatedly abused the girl and she reportedly underwent abortions more than twice, with the help of some private medical practitioners. She was admitted in a private hospital and later she was shifted to another hospital before she succumbed.
Poor cooperationThe victim’s parents, who are reportedly not cooperating with the investigating officials, cremated the body which is said to be a setback for the police. Villagers too were tight-lipped over the incident, said the investigating officers. “The accused are booked under Criminal Law (amendment) Act, 2013 and Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. We are trying to put together pieces of scientific evidence to ensure justice to the victim,” said Krishna District Superintendent of Police G. Vijay Kumar, who is monitoring the investigation.
Hunt for quacks onAvanigadda Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Y. Srinivas, who is probing the case, said they were trying to trace the ‘quacks’, who performed abortions on the girl. Police took the accused into custody twice, but could not extract any information from them, it is learnt.