The Kothagudem Two-Town police on Wednesday arrested four autorickshaw drivers in connection with the alleged rape of a minor girl by three of them at separate locations in Bhadradri Kothagudem district over a fortnight ago.
The shocking incident came to light belatedly after the mother of the victim lodged a complaint with the Kothagudem Two-Town police on July 11.
The arrested accused were identified as M. Ramakrishna, 21, K. Vijender, 19, B. Mahesh, 20, and J. Naveen, 26, all residents of Gareebpeta village in Sujathanagar mandal of the district.
Sources said that the main accused Ramakrishna allegedly lured the minor girl on the pretext of love and raped her at his relative’s room near the old depot area in the coal town a fortnight ago.
Two others accused Vijender and Mahesh, close associates Ramakrishna, allegedly sexually assaulted the girl at secluded places on separate days by intimidating the victim, sources added.
Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case against the accused under Sections 3 read with 4 and 5 read with 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and also the relevant provisions of the BNS and the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The police have arrested four accused and seized three autorickshaws from them. Further investigation is under way.
The incident sparked widespread public outrage, triggering demands for exemplary punishment to the offenders.
Published – July 15, 2026 09:21 pm IST
