The victim girl in the rape case has now turned as a political flashpoint in Andhra Pradesh. Due to the excessive propaganda surrounding the case, the accused might have either committed suicide or been murdered in a premeditated manner. Both possibilities ring alarming bells. If the overexposure and politicization of the minor girl’s case are not curbed, another life may be lost, psychologists are suspecting.
The Jagannadhagiri Residential School girl rape case has become a political flashpoint between the TDP and the YSRCP. The accused, Tatika Narayana Rao (62), previously worked for the TDP and served as a councillor of Tuni Municipality. He was recently active in the TDP alliance until the party’s victory.
Consequently, YSRCP leaders from Tuni and Kakinada districts raised the issue against the TDP. They held protests in front of the residential school along with student organizations. They questioned the hostel warden for not informing the girl’s grandmother about the incident.
Tatika Nagalakshmi, the daughter-in-law of the deceased, argued that the accused should have been legally punished but not until death. She alleged that the police misled her son and daughter to obtain their signatures after the accused had died.
Jada Sravan Kumar, Jai Bheem Bharat Party president, stated that there was no conclusive medical evidence of rape. He alleged that the accused died in a pond while being escorted by the police to the magistrate at night. “On average, 3 to 4 rape incidents are reported daily in India. If the police decide to deliver justice in the same way as in Narayana Rao’s case, many accused may have to face death,” he remarked.
Tulasi Chandu, a social media influencer, stated that the hostel warden sent the girl outside without her grandmother’s knowledge. “The wardens should have the contact numbers of the students’ guardians. Without their permission, how could they allow a student to go out?” she questioned.
IT Minister Nara Lokesh said that anyone assaulting students will not be spared under the law. He described the Tuni incident as shameful and asserted that regardless of political background, no one can escape the law.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu warned that if anyone attacks a girl or woman, that would be the last day of their life. His statement has now triggered controversy across the state.
Peddapuram DSP Sri Hari Raju stated that the accused had admitted to the sexual assault on a 13-year-old student and later committed suicide while being escorted to the magistrate.
