1 week ago
Half-Burnt Body Leads Telangana Police to Tea-Shop Murder Suspects
Police in Telangana found a partly burned woman’s body in a farm field.
They identified her as Athikam Vijaya, who lived in a nearby village.
Cameras showed a tea-shop owner, Rajitha, and her son carrying a large bag on a motorbike.
When they returned, the bag was gone.
Police say the pair killed Vijaya and had also attacked or killed other women.
They believe the tea shop helped them watch people and learn about their lives.
Rain made it difficult to take Vijaya’s body to a forest, so police say they left it in a field and tried to burn it.
Rajitha is in jail while her son is being held in a juvenile facility.
Rajitha’s husband says she once tried to kill him, but police have not ruled out his involvement.
Police identified the half-burnt body found in a Siddipet field as 45-year-old Athikam Vijaya.
Investigators say CCTV footage linked tea-shop operator C Rajitha and her teenage son to the body’s disposal.
Police allege the pair also killed Kunta Rekha in May and attacked Annapurna during a robbery in June 2025.
Investigators say rain forced them to abandon plans to dispose of Vijaya’s body in a forest and burn it in a field instead.
Rajitha is in judicial custody while her son is in a juvenile facility; her husband remains a police suspect despite denying involvement.
- Who
- Police accuse tea-shop operator C Rajitha and her teenage son in the deaths of Athikam Vijaya and Kunta Rekha; Rajitha’s husband Dubbaya is also being treated as a suspect.
- What
- A half-burnt body led investigators to alleged murders, an earlier killing, and a separate robbery attack.
- Where
- The body was found in an agricultural field in Ramakkapeta village, Siddipet district, Telangana. The victims and suspects were connected to Bhoompally village.
- When
- Vijaya’s body was found on August 8; Rajitha was arrested on August 18. Rekha was reported missing on May 28, and Annapurna was attacked in June 2025.
- Why
- Police allege the victims were selected for their family circumstances and valuables, with the tea stall used to observe their movements and assets.
Police investigation
Husband’s account
Responsibility for the crimes
Police investigation
Police allege Rajitha and her son carried out the murders and are investigating whether Dubbaya was also involved.
Husband’s account
Dubbaya told media that Rajitha had tried to kill him and that he narrowly escaped, but he has not provided a competing account of the murders in the report.
Rajitha’s history of violence
Police investigation
Police say Rajitha previously poured scalding water on Dubbaya’s feet, causing severe burns and paralysis, and describe the later killings as planned and cold-blooded.
Husband’s account
The report says Dubbaya was an alcoholic who repeatedly abused Rajitha, presenting her earlier attack as occurring after years of domestic violence.
Key facts
- Victim identified
- Athikam Vijaya, 45
- Main accused
- C Rajitha, a 38-year-old tea-shop operator, and her teenage son
- Earlier killing
- Police allege Kunta Rekha was strangled and killed on May 28, with her remains later found in a forest
- Earlier attack
- Police allege Annapurna was attacked during a morning walk in June 2025 and robbed of a five-tola gold mangalsutra
- Evidence cited
- CCTV footage allegedly showed Rajitha and her son transporting a heavy bag and later returning without it
- Seized property
- Police seized 5.61 tolas of gold, 53 tolas of silver, Rs 1.03 lakh, two mobile phones, and a blue TVS XL
- Current status
- Rajitha is in judicial custody; her son is in a juvenile correction facility
Quotes
Rashmi Perumal
Siddipet Police Commissioner investigating the murders
“We found the duo on a bike with a seemingly heavy bag between them. They seemed to be going somewhere.”
indianexpress.com
“It’s a case of coldblooded murder, with no remorse.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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