Residents of the gated community staging a protest outside the Malkajgiri zone commissioner camp office on Monday afternoon where the press conference about the arrest was held.
| Photo Credit: Naveen Kumar
Demanding capital punishment and a speedy trial in the murder of a five-year-old girl, the victim’s family and residents of Villa Orchids in Kowkoor gathered at the Malkajgiri Police Commissioner’s camp office in Begumpet on Monday (October 12), raising concerns over security lapses and questioning the role of the agency responsible for guarding their residential community.
The residents demanded that the police investigate whether others had assisted the accused and ensure that everyone involved in the crime was brought to justice.
Kiran Macha, a neighbour of the victim, alleged that the accused, a former security guard, could have received assistance from people working with the security agency deployed at the gated community.
He claimed that the accused had been removed from his job about a month before the incident but continued to be allowed inside the residential premises. The allegation regarding his removal from employment differs from the police account, which states that he worked at the community until October 6.
Adding to suspicions about the possible involvement of others, one of the residents claimed to have seen CCTV footage showing a security guard wearing a white cap gesturing towards the accused, apparently indicating the girl’s movements.
The resident’s account raised further questions about whether the accused had received assistance from someone employed at the residential community. However, the alleged interaction and any possible involvement of the security guard have not been independently established.
The residents questioned how a person who was no longer employed as a security guard could continue accessing the premises and demanded that the role of the security agency and its personnel be thoroughly examined.
Several families expressed concern over the safety of their children, pointing out that working parents often leave their children at home while they are away for their jobs. They said the incident had raised serious questions about the security arrangements in gated residential communities.
Police assure thorough investigation
Addressing the gathering, Malkajgiri Deputy Commissioner of Police Ch. Sridhar assured the family and residents that the Police Commissioner and the department would seek capital punishment for the accused.
He also assured them that the investigation would be conducted expeditiously and thoroughly, with all aspects of the case examined.
The residents reiterated their demand for stringent punishment and a speedy judicial process, urging the police to ensure that the case was pursued without unnecessary delays. “This judgement should be an example for other cities and States,” demanded the residents.
Published – October 12, 2026 07:21 pm IST
