Dalit man killed in Kurnool district, wife blames her family
Ujwal Bommakanti | TNN | Jan 1, 2021, 07:31 IST
VIJAYAWADA: A 30-year-old Dalit physiotherapist was found murdered in Adoni town of Kurnool district on Thursday.
Adam Smith, a resident of RTC Colony in Adoni town, was found lying near his bike in a pool of blood. His head was smashed with a boulder.
Adoni DSP Vinod Kumar told TOI Smith had married Maheshwari (24), an upper caste Hindu, a month ago. “The couple have been in a relationship for eight years and got their marriage solemnised at an Arya Samaj venue amidst severe opposition from
family members,” he said, adding that the couple met each other years ago in their native village, Gurazala. After their marriage, they had been staying at RTC colony where Smith worked as a physiotherapist in a local hospital.
Eyewitnesses said two unidentified assailants followed his two-wheeler and hit Smith’s head with an iron rod, causing him to fall.
They then got down from their vehicle and dropped a large stone on his head.
Locals called an ambulance and took him to a local government hospital where he was declared ‘brought dead’.
A devastated Maheshwari lodged a complaint with the police, accusing her family members. She said they repeatedly threatened to kill her husband. A case has been registered under 302 of IPC (murder) and relevant sections of SC/ST Atrocities Act at Adoni Two Town police station.
Police have detained some members of Maheswari’s family and are on the lookout for her father and uncle who happen to be main suspects in the case.
Police picket set up in village
Meanwhile, at Benigeri village in Aspari mandal of Kurnool district, tension prevailed after relatives of a 14-year-old girl, who allegedly eloped with a Dalit boy, vandalised the boy’s house premises on Thursday. Police said the boy belongs to SC community while the girl is from Boya community. They were in a relationship for some time and eloped two days ago.
A police picket has been set up to avert any untoward incident in the village. Cops have registered two cases — one against the boy for alleged kidnapping of a minor girl and another against the girl’s family members for damaging property.
