A 36-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh allegedly killed his three children, set their bodies on fire, and later took his own life in what police believe was an act driven by marital discord. The incident occurred in Nagarkurnool district of Telangana.

The accused, identified as Gutta Venkateswarlu, a fertiliser shop owner from Peddaboyapally village in Prakasam district, had reportedly quarrelled with his wife, Deepika, on August 30. Distressed by the confrontation, he is said to have fled with their three children; Mokshita, aged 8, Varshini, aged 6, and Shivadharma, aged 4, on his motorcycle towards Srisailam.

According to police, on the same night Venkateswarlu allegedly set fire to his two younger children, Varshini and Shivadharma, near Suryatanda in Uppanuthala mandal. He then killed his elder daughter, Mokshita, in Thandra near Achampet in Telangana. After the murders, he consumed pesticide that he had purchased in Achampet. His body was later discovered in Burakunta, Veldanda mandal, after locals raised an alarm.

Investigations have been aided by CCTV footage which showed the man travelling with his children on a two-wheeler along the Hyderabad-Srisailam highway. Police and search teams subsequently recovered the children’s charred remains from different locations along the route, confirming the details of the killings.

Officials suspect that domestic conflict and emotional distress were at the root of the crime. A case has been filed by the Veldanda police following a complaint lodged by Venkateswarlu’s brother, Mallikarjuna Rao. Further investigation, autopsies, and forensic analysis are under way to establish the precise causes of death and to determine the circumstances leading up to the act.

– Ends