Bhongir ACP who investigated Hajipur rape case wins Home ministry's 'Medal for Excellence in Investigation'

The award-winning officer served as the investigator in the case involving the rape and murder of three girls from Hajipur village falling under the commissionerate limits. The extraordinary work of the team led by the officer made a strong case for which the accused was given the death penalty.

The horrific crime was committed by Marri Srinivas Reddy, who was awarded death sentence on 6 February after a court in Nalgonda found him guilty of rape, kidnap and murder in three cases involving girls 14, 17 and 11 years of age at Hajipur of Yadadri Bhongir district of Telangana.

Talking to NewsMeter N. Bhujanga Rao said, "This was one of the most crucial cases I have investigated in my 28 years of service. In three months, the entire investigation was completed and the team was able to file a charge sheet for all three cases. The court trials took four months." The officer recalled how he would attend the court every time the case was up for hearing. "This was the first time an accused was sentenced to death in two cases and given lifetime imprisonment in the other case."

The judgement of the Nalgonda court was forwarded to the Telangana High Court for confirmation. Due to the COVID-19 situation, the death penalty confirmation is pending.

"It's a great pleasure being awarded by the Home Ministry. I feel great because everybody in service hopes to resolve an investigation and an award for that investigation provides job satisfaction," said the officer.

On acknowledging the Indian Police Medal, Bhujanga Rao expressed his gratitude to the police department and the commissioner of police Rachakonda, Mahesh Bhagawat. He said "I feel immensely grateful to the department for recognizing my work. I am so happy and these medals put more responsibility on me. I am thankful to the commissioner of police, Rachakonda and DGP, Telangana, M. Mahendra Reddy."

Bhujanga Rao was given the Indian Police Medal last year too. Apart from him, Makajgiri ACP N. Shyam Prasad Rao, Warangal DCP, Aligati Madhusudhan, ACP G. Shyam Sundar and SI Nenavath Nagesh serving in Telangana police were also awarded the Union Home Minister's Medal for Excellence in Investigation.