CHITTOOR: A mother-daughter duo and a minor boy were arrested on Sunday in connection with the suspicious death of a six-year-old girl, Asmiya Anjum, in Punganur, Chittoor district. Asmiya had gone missing on September 29 and was found dead in a water tank on October 2.
Police investigations revealed that the motive behind the murder was a financial dispute between one of the accused and Asmiya’s father, Ajmatullah. The main accused, a woman who had borrowed ₹3.5 lakh from Ajmatullah, allegedly planned the crime after he threatened legal action over the unpaid loan.
According to Chittoor Superintendent of Police Manikanta Chandolu, the woman lured Asmiya away while she was playing outside her home, then, with the help of her mother and a minor boy, fed and choked the child to death. The trio then transported the body on a bike and dumped it in a nearby water tank.
SP Chandolu confirmed that preliminary medical reports showed no signs of injury or sexual assault. Surveillance footage, along with suspicious movements of certain individuals, helped lead to the arrests. After Asmiya was reported missing, 12 police teams, including search parties with trained dogs, combed the town, searching lakes, ponds, and abandoned areas.
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, along with ministers NMD Farooq and M Ramprasad Reddy, visited Asmiya’s family to offer condolences. The Chief Minister also assured the family of full government support during this difficult time.