A couple committed suicide by jumping into the Yeleru Canal at Thummapala near Anakapalle in the district on Monday night.
N. Umamaheswara Rao (31), who was running a printing press, and his wife Jhansi were facing financial problems due to mounting debts. Their relatives allegedly used to look down upon them for having no children.
To add to their woes, a theft had occurred in their neighbouring house recently, and the house owner lodged a complaint with the police.
The police summoned the couple to the police station to record their statements in connection with the theft. They reportedly felt humiliated on being summoned to the police station and decided to end their lives.
The bodies were retrieved and sent to the Government Hospital at Anakapalle for post-mortem.
Anakapalle Town Inspector G. Chandra is investigating the case.
Two held on rape chargeA mentally-challenged and destitute woman has been gang raped allegedly by three persons near Jalaripeta.
The police have arrested two of the accused and are on the lookout for the third one.
The 35-year-old woman was staying on the footpath near Jalaripeta.
The three accused had allegedly been raping her for the past few days.
A few local people alerted the police patrol party on Sunday night after seeing the accused indulge in the crime. But, the accused fled on seeing the police.
Two of the accused were arrested on Tuesday evening.
A case has been registered under Section 376 (D) of the IPC and investigation is on.
The victim was sent for medical examination and reports were awaited, One Town Inspector Syed Mohammad Illiyas said.
