No foul play in death of 16-year-old Penumuru girl

Tirupati: Chittoor district police on Thursday ruled out foul play in the mysterious death of a 16-year-old girl, whose body was found in an agricultural well near Tana Venugopalapuram village in Penumuru mandal on September 20.

Quoting forensic analysis and investigation reports, Chittoor superintendent of police Y. Rishanth Reddy told media that there is no evidence of rape or murder.

The girl had disappeared from her home three days earlier. Her family lodged a complaint, leading to Penumuru police station registering a case under Section 174 of Cr.P.C.

Based on the allegations of her family members, police detained four suspects. However, call data analysis and tower data ruled out their presence at the scene of crime near Tana Venugopalapuram village.

The SP said as per the report from Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) in Tirupati and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Vijayawada, the minor girl died due to drowning in the agricultural well. There is no evidence of poisoning, sexual assault, or external or internal injuries.

Rishanth Reddy said, "Decomposition of the victim's body led to partial hair loss from her head, swollen eyes and tongue. We also consulted forensic experts at Kurnool Medical College for a second opinion. Their findings aligned with the analysis of RFSL and FSL in Tirupati and Vijayawada.”

The SP, however, said the minor's death remains a mystery. They are now focusing on understanding the circumstances that led the young girl to vicinity of the agricultural well. “This information is crucial in unravelling the enigma surrounding her demise,” he said.

Rishanth Reddy appealed to public that in case they have any information related to this case, they should assist police in unravelling the circumstances that led to the minor girl's death.