Amaravati, Feb 18 (NationPress) The individual accused of the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl managed to flee from police custody, as reported by authorities. His remains were discovered in a lake located in Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday.

The deceased, identified as Kulavardhan (30), was found submerged in a lake at Kanasanipalli village in the Kuralabalakota mandal.

District Superintendent of Police K. Dheeraj informed the media that the suspect escaped while being transported in a police vehicle on Tuesday. Following his escape, law enforcement initiated a search operation, leading to the discovery of his body the following morning.

Initial investigations suggest that the suspect died by suicide. Authorities have communicated this development to his family.

Local residents discovered the body and promptly notified the police. The remains were subsequently transported to a government hospital in Madanapalle for a post-mortem examination.

On Tuesday, officials uncovered the body of the seven-year-old girl inside a drum at Kulavardhan’s residence.

The victim, the daughter of a handloom worker, had been reported missing the previous day. She was a second-grade student from a school in Madanapalle and was last seen playing near her home during a school holiday.

Her parents, who were at work, began searching for her upon their return in the evening when they couldn't locate her. Following their unsuccessful search, they filed a report with the police.

As Kulavardhan was a neighbor with a criminal history, a police officer visited his home as part of the investigation. The house was locked from the inside, and when the officer received no response after knocking, he peered through a window and saw Kulavardhan asleep.

The officer departed, but the next morning, the victim’s grandfather informed the police that she had been last seen with Kulavardhan. Upon re-entering the house, they discovered the girl's body in the drum.

Police later apprehended Kulavardhan; however, he managed to escape during his transfer to the police station.

The heinous crime of rape and murder ignited public outrage, with residents demanding justice for the young victim, who was the daughter of a handloom worker.

Protests erupted, leading locals to stage a sit-in on the National Highway, causing significant traffic disruptions for several hours.

Madanapalle MLA Shahjahan Basha expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, communicating with the victim’s parents to assure them of governmental support.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Koya Praveen stated that the post-mortem and preliminary inquiries indicated that the accused had raped the child before drowning her in a water drum, a brutal act.

Police have charged the suspect with rape, murder, and offenses under the POCSO Act.

The accused had a prior case under Section 324, which was resolved through a Lok Adalat compromise.

Residents reported that he frequently abused alcohol and exhibited inappropriate behavior towards others.