A six-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered by a 25-year-old man at her home in Chadalavada village of Naguluppalapadu mandal in Prakasam district on Monday morning.
According to the police, the accused was identified as Ajjam Anand Babu from the same village. The girl’s parents had gone to Hyderabad for daily-wage work, leaving her in the care of her maternal grandmother.
Police said that Anand Babu committed the crime under the reported influence of ganja (cannabis). The local residents apprehended him and handed him over to the police.
A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and steps are being taken to ensure a swift investigation and close monitoring of the proceedings.
Collector assures aid
District Collector P. Raja Babu and Superintendent of Police (SP) V. Harshavardhan Raju inspected the deceased girl’s body at Ongole Government General Hospital (GGH) mortuary. They expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
The Collector spoke to the girl’s relatives and gathered details regarding the incident. He announced that immediate financial assistance of one lakh rupees would be provided to the victim’s family. He assured that the district administration will stand by them. Upon learning that the family does not own a home, he said that a house would also be sanctioned to them by the government.
“Measures will be taken to prevent such incidents from recurring in the district, with a heightened focus on the complete eradication of ganja, which is a contributing factor to criminal activity,” Mr. Raja Babu said.
RDO Chandrasekhar Naidu, ICDS Project Director Padma Sunanda, GGH Superintendent Manikya Rao, Deputy Superintendent Kiran, and other officials and medical professionals were also present.
Published – October 26, 2026 07:51 pm IST
