After about a week of suspense, whether the accident near Anakapalle that occurred on May 22, was a hit-and-run case or a case of eve-teasing and planned murder, the city police on Monday arrested two accused, including the key person Dadi Hema Kumar, and concluded that it was a clear case of hit-and-run.
The other person arrested, a friend of the main accused, has been identified as B. Hemanth.
In the accident, a 29-year-old homemaker Moturu Lavanya died on the spot and two others were injured.
The incident occurred when the deceased who was travelling on a motorcycle along with two others knocked down by a speeding car driven by Dadi Hema Kumar, near Salavanipalem. The trio were returning to their home at Vadlapudi after visiting the Nukalamma temple at Anakapalle.
Immediately after the accident, the deceased’s sister Divya and other family members claimed that it was a pre-planned murder, and this put the police and the media in a tizzy and special teams were formed to investigate the case.
The family members claimed that Dadi Hema Kumar and a few of his friends, who were in inebriated condition, allegedly indulged in eve-teasing Lavanya on the temple premises. They nursed a grudge as Lavanya retaliated to their teasing, and as Lavanya and the two others were returning home, they were chased by the accused in his car and knocked down near Salavanipalem.
Setting aside the claims that it was pre-planned murder, Commissioner of Police T. Yoganand said that no motive for murder was established and as per the evidences gathered it was a case of hit and run. “We have examined the CCTV footage of the temple and no eve-teasing was seen,” said the Commissioner.
As per the investigation, the accused and eight of his friends had a party at a hotel in Anakapalle.
And a few minutes before the accident, Hema Kumar, a private financier, and Hemanth left the hotel for Visakhapatnam.
During the same time, Lavanya who had gone to the temple along with 12 other family members was returning home on the motorbike driven by Mohan Kumar along with her sister Divya, while the other family members took some other means of transport to return home.
Near Salavanipalem, Hema Kumar who was in drunken condition and was also speaking over cellphone, allegedly got distracted and knocked down the motorcycle. Lavanya, who was sitting behind fell on the bonnet of the car and was dragged for about 75 m, died on the spot.
After the accident, the accused parked the car in an isolated area and he along with his friend removed both the front and rear number plates and went into hiding.
“We have checked the CDR and the evidences at the accident site. As of now it is a clear case of hit and run,” said Mr. Yoganand.
“The family members have not given any written complaint on eve-teasing and murder,” said Mr. Yoganand.
Both accused were booked under IPC Sections 304 (part 2) and 201.
Police Commissioner says no motive for murder is established and it is a
hit-and-run case
