Rajaiah's daughter-in-law's death: Hubby’s affair was trigger; police begin probe

He said the police could form an opinion about the cause of death only after the forensic examination was complete. A case of suspicious death has been registered against Mr Rajaiah, his wife Madhavi and son Anil Kumar based on the complaint lodged by Sarika’s mother Ms Lalitha. Mr Naveen Chand said police was investigating into all possible angles.

“We need to probe further and examine the clues found at the spot. If anyone is found guilty, they will be punished. We received a complaint from Sarika’s mother who accused Rajaiah’s family regarding the death of her daughter. Our forensic team and Clues team are at work. We will investigate further and only then can we come to a conclusion if the incident was suicide or murder or an accident,” he said.

In her complaint, Sarika said her husband had developed an illicit relation with another woman and was completely ignoring her because she had not brought any dowry or property to the marriage. She had also staged a demonstration in front of the house before the last general elections, accusing the family of torturing her physically and mentally.

Mr Sudheer Babu said the investigation in the case would be perused from all angles and based on the forensic, post-mortem and medical reports, action would be taken against all three accused if they are found to be guilty. He said a special forensic team had been called in from Hyderabad for investigation and that it was too early to ascertain the nature of the incident.

The deceased Sarika’s mother, Ms Lalitha said that her daughter would not have ended her life along with her children. “She had been brave through all the harassment she had been experiencing all these years. She fought bravely for justice, we can never imagine her committing suicide,” Ms Lalitha said.

Accusing Mr Rajaiah’s family of brutally murdering Sarika and her three children, Ms Lalitha alleged that Mr Anil Kumar, Mr Rajaiah’s son, had married another woman and to get rid of Sarika, they had killed her along with her children.

She said Rajaiah also should be killed in the same way that her daughter was murdered.

Police had a hard time controlling the angry crowd. The former MP, Rajaiah, his wife Madhavi and son Anil Kumar were whisked off to the Subedari police station even as women tried to block the police vehicle. Some even threw stones at it.

A case under CrPC Section 174 (suspicious death) was registered against Rajaiah and his family.

Police commissioner Sudheer Babu said all angles would be investigated and based on forensic, post-mortem and medical reports, action would be taken.

He said a special forensic team had been called in from Hyderabad for investigation, adding that it was too early to ascertain the nature of the incident.