Godavarikhani Murder Case: Lecturer Accused of Killing Student Over Jealousy

Godavarikhani Murder Case: A young woman’s death in Godavarikhani, Peddapalli district, which was initially treated as a suicide, has taken a different turn after police arrested two men in connection with the case.

According to police, the main accused is Jetti Naveen, a 38-year-old contract lecturer from Garpalli in Sultanabad mandal. Investigators allege that he killed 20-year-old Thandra Akshita Rani after becoming suspicious about her relationship with another man.

Police said Naveen was working as a contract lecturer at Sri Rampur Polytechnic College in Naspur, Mancherial district. Akshita had joined the same institution for a diploma course around three years ago. During that period, Naveen allegedly developed a relationship with her.

Investigators said Naveen was already married and had two children. He was reportedly living separately from his wife because of marital differences. Since he and Akshita were from the same village, she trusted him, police said.

Akshita later completed her diploma and joined Osmania University in Hyderabad to pursue engineering. During her second year, she came to Godavarikhani in February as part of field training along with other students.

The students underwent training for 12 days at Singareni’s Second Mine. Bommakanthi Ravikumar, an overman at the mine from Bellampalli, was assigned as their mentor. Police said Akshita and Ravikumar became acquainted during the training period.

Investigators allege that Naveen had secretly installed an application on Akshita’s phone that allowed messages received on her device to reach him. Through this, police say, he came to know about her conversations and became suspicious of her growing familiarity with Ravikumar.

The police investigation further found that Naveen allegedly tried to direct attention toward Ravikumar. A complaint was reportedly made to Singareni authorities alleging sexual harassment by Ravikumar. However, officials did not take action at the time, citing a lack of evidence, according to police.

Akshita did not approach the police with a complaint, investigators said. Her family later learned about the issue and asked her to discontinue her studies. She subsequently took up work at a computer centre in the town.

Police allege that Naveen then planned to kill Akshita and make the incident appear to be a suicide linked to Ravikumar.

On the day of the incident, Naveen allegedly obtained pesticide from a friend and kept it in a bottle. Later that evening, he called Akshita and asked her to meet him near the FCI approach road in Ramagundam.

According to the investigation, Akshita got into Naveen’s car and the two travelled around while arguing. Police allege that Naveen then forced her to consume the pesticide, telling her that the blame would fall on Ravikumar if she died.

Investigators also allege that Naveen made Akshita write a note claiming that she was taking the extreme step because of alleged sexual harassment by Ravikumar. He reportedly photographed the note using her phone.

After Akshita became unconscious, police say Naveen waited until he believed she could not survive and then contacted her father using her phone. He allegedly told the family that their daughter had attempted suicide before taking her to their home.

Akshita was subsequently taken to the Godavarikhani government hospital by her parents. She died while undergoing treatment the following day.

The initial investigation focused on the note found on Akshita’s phone, which led police to register a case against Ravikumar. Investigators later began examining other evidence instead of relying solely on the note.

CCTV footage proved important in the investigation, according to police. Investigators reportedly traced footage showing Akshita getting into Naveen’s car near the FCI approach road.

Police also examined call records, recorded conversations and other technical evidence. The information gathered during the inquiry reportedly raised questions about the original version of events and led investigators toward Naveen.

After questioning him, police said they found evidence linking him to Akshita’s death. Naveen was subsequently arrested along with Ravikumar by Godavarikhani One Town police.

Police have seized Naveen’s car and laptop as part of the investigation. Ravikumar’s alleged role is also being examined separately.

Peddapalli DCP Ram Reddy said investigators would look more closely into the allegations involving Ravikumar. Police are also examining whether there was any negligence on the part of Singareni officials in handling the earlier complaint.

The case has therefore moved beyond the initial suicide theory. Police are now examining the circumstances surrounding Akshita’s death, the alleged role of the two accused and the events that preceded the incident.

The allegations remain subject to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings. Police are expected to rely on the collected technical and other evidence as the case progresses.