Madanapalle minor’s rape and murder: Prime accused Kulavardhan’s body found in lake

Kadapa: Tension gripped Annamayya district on Wednesday after the body of Kulavardhan, the prime suspect in the brutal rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl, was discovered in a lake near Kanasaniwaripalli.

Discovery of the body

Local residents spotted a body floating in the lake and immediately alerted the authorities. Police personnel arrived at the scene and, upon retrieval, identified the deceased as 30-year-old Kulavardhan.

The body has since been shifted to the Madanapalle Government Hospital for a post-mortem examination. While the discovery has sparked intense local discussion, officials stated that the exact cause of death, whether by suicide or other means, is yet to be determined.

The underlying crime

The discovery follows a harrowing incident in Madanapalle town involving a Class 2 student. On Monday, taking advantage of a school holiday, the young girl was at home while her mother was away at work.

When the mother called at 4:30 pm to check on her, the girl's grandfather realized she was missing. After an exhaustive search of the neighborhood proved fruitless, the family filed a police complaint, prompting a widespread search assisted by local WhatsApp groups.

A missed opportunity

Suspicion quickly turned toward Kulavardhan, a neighbor with a prior criminal record.

Initial Check: At 1:30 am on Tuesday, police arrived at Kulavardhan’s residence. When he failed to answer the door, officers looked through a window and saw him lying down, appearing to be asleep, and subsequently left the premises.

The Grim Discovery: Following a statement from the victim’s grandfather, who confirmed seeing the girl with the suspect, police returned at 7:00 am on Tuesday. After breaking down the door, they discovered the child's lifeless body hidden inside a drum within the house.

Investigation ongoing

The suspect had been at large since the discovery of the girl's body until his remains were found in the Kurabalakota lake. Police have registered a case and are investigating the sequence of events leading to Kulavardhan's death.