Raichur, 18 May

Raichur police have arrested two accused in the murder of a villager and the abduction of a minor girl linked to an alleged interfaith elopement in Yapaladinni village of Raichur taluk.

According to Superintendent of Police Arunanshu Giri, the incident occurred on the night of 5 May when 41-year-old Eshappa, sleeping on his terrace, noticed suspicious movement behind his house and questioned those present.

Police said the girl’s alleged partner, Aslam, 22, a mechanic, and his associate Hussain, 23, a chicken shop worker, allegedly strangled Eshappa with a rope after he confronted them while they were attempting to flee with the 14-year-old girl.

After the murder, the accused allegedly escaped with the minor through Gadwal, Kurnool and Hyderabad before hiding in Solapur, Maharashtra. Police tracked and arrested them on 7 May. Cases under murder, kidnapping and POCSO provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, have been registered at Yapaladinni police station.

The minor girl has been shifted to a children’s shelter home.