Police Crack Murder In Kukatpally; Accused Arrested

The Cyberabad police today solved the case of the murder of a Dharmaram Priyanka on October 3.

Priyanka, 23, a labourer/sex worker, was the wife of a Dasari Posetti and daughter of a Dharmaram Ashok, and was residing at KPHB. She came to Hyderabad from her native village Bodhan, Nizamabad, about two months ago and was staying in the limits of the KPHB area and leading her life through prostitution.

During her work, a month ago, she met a Katari Manjula, wife of Katari Molkappa alias Molkesh of Yellammabanda, Jagathgirgutta, Hyderabad. Manjula, 35, was also involved in prostitution.

Priyanka gave her silver ornaments like anklets and mattelu (toe rings) to Manjula for safe custody as she did not have proper shelter. But after one week, when Priyanka asked Manjula to return her ornaments, the latter dodged the issue.

On October 3 at about 5 pm the two of them quarrelled on the issue, and Priyanka threatened Manjula that she would call her male friends. Then Manjula took Priyanka alone to her house and returned the ornaments. But Manjula felt offended by the incident and decided to eliminate Priyanka. She then convinced Priyanka to consume alcohol in her house. After that, at about 11:20 pm, Manjula took Priyanka to the scene of offence - an open place with bushes near Lodha Apartments, KPHB - on her Scooty. When Priyanka was under complete influence of alcohol, Manjula took her inside the bushes and pushed her into the garbage area, sat on her chest and cut her throat with a Laser blade.

After confirming that she was dead, Manjula scratched her private parts to mislead any investigators and left the scene on her Scooty.

In the early hours of today, the Kukatpally police arrested Manjula at her house. Upon questioning, she admitted her guilt and narrated the entire episode. Upon her confession, the police seized two silver ankles and two toe rings of Priyanka, the Laser blade which was used in the offence, the sari worn by Manjula during the offence, and her Scooty (TS 08 JA 7513).