Khammam youth booked in POCSO case dies by suicide, alleges harassment by girl’s kin

A 21-year-old youth from Khammam district, who was earlier jailed in a POCSO case and released on bail, died by suicide at Mudigonda mandal headquarters. In his suicide note, Vinay Kumar Yadav alleged harassment and extortion by the girl’s relatives.

Khammam: A youth, who went to jail in a POCSO case for allegedly raping a girl and was released on bail a few months ago, died by suicide at Mudigonda mandal headquarters in the district.

The deceased Mattela Vinay Kumar Yadav (21) hanged himself at his house on Friday night. He was booked in the POCSO case five months ago; he was released on bail three months ago; stayed at his grandparents’ place for two months and came to Mudigonda a few days ago.

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In the suicide notes addressed to the police and the family members, the deceased alleged that he was being harassed by the girl’s relatives. He accused two individuals Md. Azeez and Nukala Nageswara Rao demanded Rs 20 lakh to settle the case.

The accused duo reportedly summoned Vinay Kumar to their house; beaten him severely, threatened to kill him and his parents if he failed to pay the money. The duo also snatched away his mobile phone and motorbike, he said.

He maintained that he did not commit any crime and was falsely booked in the POSCO case while adding that he treated the girl who was involved in the case as his sister. He said he decided to end his life as he was distressed over the harassment by Azeez and Nageswara Rao.

The youth’s family members and relatives speaking to the media on Saturday demanded severe punishment for the girl’s relatives responsible for his suicide. Neither the youth nor the victim was tested medically when the youth was booked in the POCSO case, they said.

They alleged that Azeez and Nageswara Rao framed Vinay Kumar out of a grudge against him as he used to expose their illegal cattle business and cow slaughter. Based on a complaint by the youth’s father M Gopaiah, Mudigonda police booked a case in connection with the suicide.