VIJAYAWADA: In a chilling case reminiscent of Kerala’s notorious Koodathayi murders, three women from Tenali in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh have been arrested for a series of killings using cyanide, targeting vulnerable people over the past two years. Police have so far identified three victims but suspect there could be more.
The accused, identified as Munagappa Rajani (40), Mudiyala Venkateswari alias Bujji (32), and Gontu Ramanamma (60), all residents of Tenali, have so far admitted to killing three with cyanide-laced drinks and food to rob them of gold and money.Police said they would get to know if there were other victims once their interrogation is over.
The group systematically targeted individuals, including family members and neighbours, and are believed to be involved in multiple murders since 2022 besides failed attempts to kill three others.
Police said the accused purchased cyanide from a man named Krishna, who works at a gold shop in Tenali, for Rs 4,000 on two occasions. Krishna is on the run.
According to Guntur SP S Satish Kumar, investigation began after the decomposed body of one Shaik Nagoor Bee was found in a field near Vadlamudi village about two months ago. Police initially registered a case of suspicious death due to causes unknown.
After analysing mobile data and questioning multiple witnesses, including an auto driver identified as Mahesh, police pieced together the chilling conspiracy.
Investigation revealed that the accused lured the victim to the outskirts of Vadlamudi on June 5, under the pretence of a friendly outing. They spiked her drink with cyanide-laced alcohol, causing her death, and then stole her gold ornaments.
The auto driver confirmed that he had picked up the accused women and the victim. He said he also saw them purchasing alcohol that turned fatal for Nagoor Bee.
Guntur special branch inspector A Srinivas told TOI that the accused systematically targeted vulnerable women to steal their valuables. Their modus operandi involved mixing cyanide into drinks and food, a strategy reminiscent of Kerala’s Jolly Joseph, who was convicted of killing six family members with cyanide over 14 years.
Among their other victims were accused Venkateswari’s mother-in-law, Subbalakshmi, who they killed to inherit property and gold, and Nagamma, the accused’s 65-year-old neighbour, who was killed in Aug last year to evade a loan repayment of Rs 20,000.
In another incident, they killed a man in collaboration with his wife, Bhudevi, in April this year to claim his insurance and pension.
Apart from the murders, the group also attempted to kill three other women. Annapurna, who worked as a village volunteer, was given cyanide-mixed food, but she grew suspicious and did not consume it.
One Muragappa Varalamadi was also given food mixed with cyanide, but she got a call from her husband at the same time. When she informed him that she was present with the accused women, they dropped their plan of killing her for fear of getting caught.
