Vijayawada, Feb 28 (NationPress) On Friday, authorities returned the remains of Ayesha Meera, a 17-year-old student who tragically lost her life in a brutal rape and murder case back in 2007, to her bereaved parents.

The remains, exhumed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2019 for additional examination, were handed over to Shamshad Begum and Iqbal Basha at a local court in Vijayawada.

Just last week, the court ordered that Ayesha Meera’s remains be returned to her family for the purpose of conducting final rites.

The remains are set to be interred in Tenali later today.

A group of women activists from various organizations and the justice committee joined Shamshad Begum and her husband, demonstrating their support by carrying placards demanding justice for Ayesha.

After receiving the remains, they attempted to organize a rally, but police informed them that they lacked the necessary permit.

Shamshad Begum expressed to the media that despite their 19-year struggle, justice remains elusive. She stated her intention to pray for the most severe punishment for the individuals responsible for her daughter’s untimely death.

She claimed that the evidence in the case has been manipulated and pledged to persist in their quest until justice is served. They intend to meet with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to elevate their concerns.

The notorious case of Ayesha Meera’s rape and murder has yet to be resolved by either the police or the CBI.

Last week, the court accepted a report from the CBI submitted in June of the previous year, effectively closing the investigation. The agency concluded that no legally admissible evidence was available to take action against any suspect.

The court noted that there were no grounds for further inquiry and acknowledged that the victim’s parents expressed dissatisfaction with the CBI's final report, citing financial constraints for continued legal action.

Ayesha, a B Pharmacy student, was discovered murdered in the bathroom of a private ladies' hostel in Ibrahimpatnam near Vijayawada on December 27, 2007. Her body was found in a pool of blood, with her limbs tied to a water tap using her own clothing.

Several suspects, including hostel staff, were questioned by police. Nine months later, a suspect named Satyam Babu was apprehended.

A women’s sessions court found him guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment in 2010; however, the High Court overturned this decision in 2017 due to insufficient evidence.

Following public interest litigations and a petition from Ayesha’s parents, the High Court mandated a CBI investigation in 2018, resulting in the exhumation of the body in 2019 for further examination.