Did the Accused in the Minor Rape Case in Andhra Pradesh Really Commit Suicide?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The accused, Narayan Rao, allegedly committed suicide while being transported to court.
- He was arrested for attempting to sexually assault a 13-year-old girl.
- Local community outrage has led to protests demanding immediate justice.
- The incident highlights the importance of child safety in schools.
- Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Amaravati, Oct 23 (NationPress) In a shocking turn of events regarding the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl in the Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh, the suspect, Narayan Rao, reportedly took his own life by jumping into a lake while police were escorting him to court.
The police discovered Narayan Rao's body in Komaticheruvu lake near Tuni town on Thursday morning.
While being transported to appear before a magistrate, the accused requested the officers to halt the vehicle for a restroom break.
According to police reports, he allegedly leaped into the lake and drowned.
Rescue operations were delayed the previous night due to darkness, but resumed early Thursday, with expert swimmers recovering the body.
Tension mounted at the lake as Narayan Rao's family attempted to prevent the police from taking the body for a post-mortem examination. They disputed the suicide narrative, alleging that he was murdered and claiming they were not informed about the incident.
Rao, believed to be linked to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), had been arrested for allegedly attempting to sexually assault a 13-year-old girl at the Jagannadhagiri Gurukulam, a residential school.
In his 60s, Rao had lured the girl away from the school premises, deceitfully convincing her he was her grandfather.
He reportedly took her to a garden on the outskirts of Tuni, where he attempted the assault. A video surfaced on Wednesday showing a man confronting Rao, questioning him about taking the young girl to the bushes and instructing her to remove her clothes.
Furious villagers and relatives of the girl confronted Rao, beating him before handing him over to the police.
The incident sparked widespread outrage, with the girl's family, local villagers, and Dalit community leaders demanding immediate justice and the suspension of the school's principal for negligence.
Education Minister Nara Lokesh expressed his shock and assured that stringent punishment would be enforced against the guilty.
In a statement, he noted that police had filed a case under the POCSO Act, which aims to protect children from sexual offences, and they have taken the accused into custody.
Currently in Australia, Lokesh urged officials to implement robust measures to ensure the safety of students, especially girls, in Gurukul schools, hostels, and government institutions.
The opposition YSR Congress Party staged protests in support of the survivor's family, with women's wing leaders voicing solidarity and demanding harsh punishment for the perpetrators.