The four rape suspects had been under police custody and shot near the scene of the crime during a reconstruction. They were identified as Mohammad Areef, Jollu Shiva, Jollu Naveen, and Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu.
The case generates hatred across the country. Last Wednesday, the four men alleged launched a premeditated attack on a 27-year-old veterinary doctor. Along with this, they were also accused of deflating her scooter tyres. Then they waited for her at an isolated spot beside a toll plaza.
One of the attackers approached her in lieu of offering help. Then they dragged her to the isolated bushes where they gang raped her, asphyxiated her until she died. They dragged her body to an underpass where they set it ablaze to destroy the proof of evidence.
The case shook the nation to its core and thousands of people hit the streets in protest over the week. Some even demanded for their public lynching.
According to police, they were being taken to the site of the crime for its reconstruction in the early hours of Friday morning. During the exercise, they tried to escape and were shot by police officials present on the site.
Deputy Commissioner of police of Shamshabad, N Prakash Reddy, said, “In the morning, at around 6-6.30, our persons have come to reconstruct the scene of crime.” Furthermore, the statement reads “the accused have tried to snatch their weapons, and there was a cross-fire.” Importantly, “all the four accused have died.” “Two policemen have been injured,” he said.
Besides, Dr. Priyanka Reddy’s family welcomed the news of the killings of the alleged perpetrators. Dr. Reddy’s father said in a statement, “It has been 10 days to the day my daughter died”. He expressed “gratitude towards the police and government for this0”. My daughter’s soul must be at peace now,” he said.
