HYDERABAD: The engineering student who reported being sexually assaulted by an overman at a Telangana coal mine was allegedly forced to consume pesticide and made to write a suicide note by her former lecturer after he learnt about the assault, police said.The 20-year-old student, a native of a village in Sultanabad mandal, died while undergoing treatment at a government hospital on September 13, a day after the alleged attack.Police have arrested her former lecturer Jetty Naveen Kumar and overman Bommakanthi Ravikumar in connection with the cases.
Student complained of sexual assault, inquiry ruled ‘not at fault’
The student had joined a coal mine in Godavarikhani in January for a 12-day internship as part of her BE in Mining course at Osmania University.Ravikumar, 35, who was working as an overman at the mine, allegedly introduced himself to her as a former student of Singareni Polytechnic in Naspur and a student of Naveen Kumar. Police said he subsequently began sexually harassing her.The student complained to Singareni management against Ravikumar. The management formed a committee to inquire into the complaint and, according to police, concluded that Ravikumar was not at fault.Police said Ravikumar later sexually assaulted the student.
Former lecturer decided to kill after learning of assault
Naveen Kumar had taught the victim when he was working as a contract lecturer at Singareni Polytechnic in Naspur, Mancherial district. She had completed her diploma there in 2022.Police said the two, who were from Garrepalli, had subsequently grown close. Naveen Kumar, who was living separately from his wife following differences, had allegedly assured the student that he would marry her.The student later joined Osmania University to pursue BE in Mining. After her family shifted to Godavarikhani, she joined the coal mine for the internship.Police said Naveen Kumar later learnt about the student’s relationship with Ravikumar and the sexual assault and allegedly decided to kill her.
Forced to consume pesticide, write suicide note
On September 12, Naveen Kumar allegedly picked up the student in his car and drove around with her before forcing her to consume pesticide.Police said he then made her write a suicide note in an attempt to make her death appear to be a suicide.As she lost consciousness, Naveen Kumar allegedly used her mobile phone to call her father and inform him about her condition. He then took her to a government hospital and fled, police said.The student died during treatment the following day.
CCTV, call records led cops to lecturer
Peddapalli DCP Ram Reddy said police examined CCTV footage along the route, call detail records and other technical evidence before identifying Naveen Kumar as the accused.He was arrested in Godavarikhani on Sunday.Ravikumar was also arrested in connection with the sexual assault case and remanded in judicial custody.
