Hit-and-run case: police rule out wilful killing

Visakhapatnam: In a wake of mounting criticism against them with regard to the killing of a 29-year-old housewife in a hit-and-run case on May 22 in the city, Visakhapatnam police commissioner T Yoganand clarified that it was a case of rash driving but not that of a wilful killing by the accused. He refuted the allegations of the victim’s family members.

Speaking to presspersons here on Monday, he said entire CCTV footage collected from Nukalamma Temple in Anakapalle was monitored and clarified that there was no evidence of the accused Dadi Hem Kumar and his friends coming close to the victim Lavanya to tease. The family members of Lavanya have been alleging that the deceased and her cousin were teased by Hem Kumar and his friends inside and outside the temple and later hit their motorcycle killing her on the spot.

The commissioner also showed the entire CCTV footage to the media during the briefing. He also said that during investigation and filing FIR none of the family members had alleged unruly behaviour by the accused.

While Lavanya was present in the temple, along with her cousins Divya and Mohan Kumar, the accused Hem Kumar and his friends were drinking in the hotel called SR Residency, the commissioner said. Later Dadi Hem Kumar, a financier by profession, and his friend Hemant Kumar went out in a car to collect debts from a person in Gnanapuram in the city.

All the while he was talking over the phone and at Salapuvanipalem, he dashed against the motorcycle resulting in the mishap. Lavanya who was pillion riding fell off on the road and the car dragged her for over 75 feet killing her instantly. Later the duo abandoned the car in a secluded place and called their friends and removed the number plates of the car. Meanwhile, on Monday both the accused were taken into custody.