1 day ago
Telangana Lecturer Accused In Engineering Student Pesticide Death
Thandra Akshitarani was a 20-year-old student studying mining engineering in Telangana.
She had previously known lecturer Naveen Kumar and later became close to Ravi Kumar.
Police say Naveen became angry about their relationship.
They allege that he took Akshitarani in his car on September 12 and made her drink pesticide.
Police also say he made her write a note so her death would look like suicide.
Akshitarani was taken to a hospital but died on September 13.
Investigators later used camera footage and phone evidence to question the original suicide explanation.
Naveen and Ravi were arrested around September 20.
Ravi’s wife denies the allegations against him, and the investigation is continuing.
Thandra Akshitarani, a 20-year-old engineering student, died after consuming pesticide on September 13.
Police allege former lecturer Naveen Kumar forced her to consume pesticide and staged the death as suicide.
Investigators say Akshitarani was made to write a note accusing Ravi Kumar of sexual assault.
CCTV footage, call records, recordings and other technical evidence led to arrests of Naveen Kumar and Ravi Kumar.
Ravi Kumar faces separate allegations, while his wife says he was wrongly implicated and cleared by an internal inquiry.
- Who
- Thandra Akshitarani, former lecturer Naveen Kumar and Singareni overman Ravi Kumar are central to the investigation.
- What
- Police allege Akshitarani was forced to consume pesticide and that her death was made to appear as suicide.
- Where
- The alleged incident occurred near the FCI crossroads in Telangana; Akshitarani was treated at a government hospital in Godavarikhani.
- When
- The alleged incident occurred on September 12, 2026; Akshitarani died on September 13, and the two men were arrested around September 20.
- Why
- Police say Naveen Kumar developed a grudge after Akshitarani moved away from him and became close to Ravi Kumar.
Police investigation
Disputed allegations
Cause and manner of death
Police investigation
Police allege Naveen Kumar forced Akshitarani to consume pesticide, delayed medical assistance and used her phone to make the death appear to be suicide.
Disputed allegations
The case was initially registered as suicide based on the note; the articles do not provide a direct response from Naveen Kumar to the later allegations.
Allegations against Ravi Kumar
Police investigation
Police are investigating Ravi Kumar over allegations of a forced physical relationship and sexual assault, as well as his possible role in the circumstances surrounding the death.
Disputed allegations
Ravi Kumar’s wife says he was wrongly implicated and claims an internal Singareni inquiry cleared him.
Possible institutional responsibility
Police investigation
Investigators are reportedly examining whether college officials were negligent in connection with the case.
Disputed allegations
The articles do not provide a response from college officials or details of any established negligence.
Key facts
- Victim
- Thandra Akshitarani, a 20-year-old engineering student
- Main accused
- Naveen Kumar, about 38, a former outsourced or contract lecturer
- Other arrested man
- Ravi Kumar, about 35, a Singareni mine overman
- Alleged method
- Forced consumption of pesticide, reportedly mixed with water
- Initial classification
- The case was initially treated as death by suicide
- Evidence cited
- CCTV footage, call records, call recordings and other technical evidence
- Items seized
- A car and mobile phones
Quotes
B Ram Reddy
Peddapalli Deputy Commissioner of Police
“Naveen could not tolerate Akshitarani distancing herself from him and getting close to Ravi Kumar. He developed a grudge against the two of them.”
NDTV
Sources
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