The Anakapalli police have cracked the suspicious death case of a woman whose burnt body was found at an isolated place at Batajangalapalem under Sabbavaram Police Station limits on August 14. The investigation revealed a disturbing plot as the woman was murdered by her family members, including her daughters and her brother-in-law, allegedly over family and financial disputes.
The police arrested the deceased woman’s brother-in-law, Muralidhar, and her elder daughter Anusha (18), both residents of Kurmannapalem. Her younger daughter, who is a minor, was sent to a juvenile home.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha said that multiple police teams were deployed to examine CCTV footage and analyse the call data records (CDRs).
Teams were even sent to the neighbouring districts and Odisha, he said. The victim was identified as B. Santhu (37), a native of Ganjam district of Odisha. She had been living in Kurmannapalem and working at a supermarket. The police confirmed the identity of the victim after her prents in Odisha recognised the jewellery found on her body.
Mr. Tuhin Sinha said that the key clue emerged from CCTV footage showing a man buying petrol in loose containers at a petrol bunk. He was identified as Muralidhar, the brother-in-law of the victim.
Investigation revealed that Santhu had been living separately from her family due to ongoing disputes. Her husband works in Qatar. She had previously filed a harassment complaint against him at the Duvvada police station.
The relations between Santhu and her daughters had also deteriorated over the years, with frequent arguments. Muralidhar also had issues with Santhu. He had accused her of misusing proceeds from property sales and bringing bad name to the family.
The situation escalated on August 13 when Santhu’s younger daughter returned home from the hostel and started living with her mother. She allegedly discovered objectionable photos and multiple call logs on her mother’s phone. She told about it to her elder sister Anusha and uncle Muralidhar.
Muralidhar, who already had a grudge against Santhu, seized the opportunity to influence the girls. He told them that their mother had disgraced the family, insisting that she be killed, the SP said.
On the same night, Muralidhar and the two daughters allegedly strangled Santhu to death when she was asleep. They allegedly took the body to an isolated place at Battajangalapalem and set it afire with the petrol Muralidhar brought.
The SP lauded DSP Parawada Sub-Division Vishnu Swaroop, Sabbavaram Inspector Ramachandra Rao and other police personnel for cracking the case.
Published – August 27, 2025 08:36 am IST
