Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Spate of Murders Raises Alarm in Rayalaseema: 25 Killed
A region in India called Rayalaseema is very worried because many people have been killed in the last six months.
More than 25 murders happened in three nearby districts: Kurnool, Kadapa, and Nandyal.
In the past, most killings in this area were caused by old fights between rival groups.
Now, people are being killed over family arguments, fights about property, and even because of love and family honour.
In one sad case in April, a young woman named Ramakeerthana was attacked because she said no to someone.
Another man is accused of hurting his own daughter and wife because he felt his family's honour was at risk.
Police are also worried because some children, called minors, have been involved in these crimes.
The police say these crimes are hard to stop because they happen suddenly and without warning.
A doctor says that counselling and teaching families to solve problems calmly could help prevent such tragedies.
People in the region hope that more awareness will help stop the violence.
More than 25 murders have been reported in Kurnool, Kadapa, and Nandyal districts of Rayalaseema in the past six months.
Recent killings are increasingly driven by family disputes, property conflicts, love affairs, and honour killings rather than traditional factional feuds.
On April 10, 2026, Ramakeerthana (20) was hacked to death in Agraharam village after reportedly rejecting Avula Venkatesh's advances; a painter named Babu allegedly killed his daughter Harika and wife Obulamma in a separate honour killing in Kadapa town.
Two minors were identified as accused in the July 11 murder of Veeranjaneyulu (46) in Yerraguntla, and Jinka Ankalayya (50) was attacked by unidentified drunk persons near Pulivendula on July 28.
Kadapa SP Shelke Nachiket Vishwanath said the unpredictable nature of personal-dispute crimes makes them hard to prevent, while psychiatrist Dr. Endluri Prabhakar urged counselling and awareness, citing social media's influence on youth.
- Who
- Residents of Rayalaseema districts, police led by Kadapa SP Shelke Nachiket Vishwanath, and victims including Ramakeerthana (20), Harika, Obulamma, Veeranjaneyulu (46), Jinka Ankalayya (50), and Madhu.
- What
- A surge of more than 25 murders over six months, increasingly driven by family disputes, honour killings, love affairs, alcohol, and crimes involving minors.
- When
- Over the past six months, with specific incidents on April 10, July 11, July 28, and August 3, 2026.
- Where
- Kurnool, Kadapa, and Nandyal districts in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, India.
- Why
- Police and experts say emotional disputes, property conflicts, honour-related violence, alcohol, and social media influence are triggering the killings, and the unpredictable nature of these crimes makes prevention difficult.
- Number of murders
- More than 25
- Time span
- Six months
- Districts affected
- Kurnool, Kadapa, Nandyal
- April 10, 2026 incident
- Ramakeerthana (20) killed in Agraharam village, Khajipet mandal, after rejecting advances
- Honour killing case
- Painter Babu allegedly killed daughter Harika and wife Obulamma in Kadapa town
- Minors involved
- Two minors accused in July 11 murder of Veeranjaneyulu (46) in Yerraguntla
- July 28 attack
- Jinka Ankalayya (50) attacked by drunk persons in Nallapureddypalle near Pulivendula
- August 3 incident
- Maddileti allegedly killed his son Madhu in Enakandla village, Nandyal district