The attack on beautician Palle Padma took a new turn on Sunday with the Government Railway Police (GRP) tracing the body of prime suspect Battula Nutan Kumar Victor (41) near the railway track at Narsaraopet in Guntur district.
Padma, who had been running a beauty parlour for a month at Hanuman junction, and Nutan Kumar were reportedly in a live-in relationship.
On August 25, her husband Suryanarayana, with whom she had differences, lodged a complaint with the Bapulapadu police alleging that some miscreants had attacked her.
The police, who formed special teams to nab the accused, said he might have resorted to suicide fearing action.
Poison suspected
Guntur GRP Inspector A. Srinivas said Nutan Kumar might have consumed some pesticide or poison and no injuries were found on the body.
“The exact cause will be known only after the post-mortem report. Frothing is seen from the mouth and nose,” Mr. Srinivas told The Hindu.
The Krishna district police said Padma was undergoing treatment in Eluru and her condition was stated to be critical.
Unanswered questions
It is intriguing why Padma did not complain to the police or take treatment even 48 hours after the incident.
If Nutan Kumar planned to kill her, why did he try to chop off her hands and escape? Did he sedate her before the attack was another question.
How her husband, who was staying away from her, came on to the scene after the incident was also to be found.
Woman critical
“As the victim’s condition is critical, we could not speak to her. We will get more clues once we record her statement. Investigation officers are trying to find out the involvement of Nutan and others, if any,” a police officer said.
