‘Newly wed woman behind murder of husband’

She tried to portray it as attack for gain, claim police

The Vizianagaram police arrested four persons including a newly wed woman on charges of plotting the murder of her husband on Monday night near the ITDA Park in the Thotapalli project area on the Parvatipuram-Palakonda route. The role of Yamaka Saraswati in the murder of her husband and close relative Y. Sankara Rao, who extended support for the completion of her computer course in Visakhpatnam, sent shock waves. He was an electrical engineer in a private power company in Karnataka.

‘Hired killers’

Their marriage took place on April 28 in Kella village of Veeraghattam mandal of Srikakulam district. Saraswati, who allegedly was in a relationship with Shiva, however, did not object to the marriage. She used to like city lifestyle with Shiva in Visakhapatnam. As she was reportedly not happy with Sankara Rao, she allegedly plotted his murder along with Maddu Shiva. Both reportedly hired Merugu Gopi, Bangarraju, Saripalli Ramakrishna and auto-driver Devarapalli Kishore. They transferred around ₹8,000 online as advance while promising to give gold ornaments after completion of the task.

An unsuspecting Sankara Rao spent time happily on Monday with Saraswati watching a movie and shopping in Parvatipuram of Vizianagaram district. The couple were returning on a bike in the evening to Chittiudivalasa of Veerghattam mandal of Srikakulam district when the accused, including Shiva, allegedly murdered Mr. Sankara Rao with sharp objects around 7.30 p.m. They returned to Visakahpatnam in an auto.

With a few injuries on hand, Saraswati ‘fainted’ at the spot drawing the attention of passersby. She reportedly tried to convince the police and others that a few miscreants attacked them and robbed her of ornaments and her husband’s purse. The police formed five teams to nab the culprits.

Vizianagaram SP G. Palaraju, who was reaching the spot, identified the auto with the Viskahapatnam registration number. During interrogation, the accused reportedly spilled the beans and Saraswati emerged as the main accused. On Tuesday, the police interrogated Saraswati at Parvatipuram area hospital where she was admitted for treatment. She reportedly confessed to the crime and surrendered before the police.

Investigation

Addressing the media in the evening, Mr. Pala Raju said Saraswati, Gopi, Ramakrishna and Bangarraju had been arrested and teams have been formed to trace Shiva. “The main motive for the murder is that Saraswati was not interested in marrying Sankara Rao. She wanted to pursue higher studies but her parents insisted on the marriage,” he claimed. “The accused did not touch the money in the pockets of Rao and left the new bike on the spot. Her contradictory versions and the auto provided the leads,” he added.