Chittoor: Accused held in 5-year-old girls murder case

Chittoor: District police on Saturday arrested one M Rafi (25) in connection with the murder of Varshita (5). It may be recalled that a case of girl missing was registered at Mudivedu police station on November 7.

Speaking to the media here, Chittoor SP S Senthilkumar said the girl came to attend a marriage reception along with her parents at KNR Kalayana Mandapam in Madanapalle on November 7. However, the parents came to know at the end of the marriage reception that their daughter was missing. After making a vain bid to find her, they lodged a complaint with the police.

On the next day, the dead body of Varshita was found on the lane behind the Kalyana Mandapam. During the investigation, the police found with the help of CCTV camera footage that M Rafi, son of Valli, native of Molakalavaripalli village, Mulakalacheruvu mandal murdered her inhumanly for no substantial reason.

As part of their efforts to nab the accused, the police gave wide publicity through electronic and print media releasing imaginary picture of the accused. Madanapalle DSP Ravi Manoharachari and his team of police officers carried out investigation and nabbed the accused Rafi on Saturday.

The police seized a mobile phone and a cash of Rs 3,870 from the accused. The SP said that the accused was involved in several criminal cases during the last 10 years. He lauded the efforts put in by Madanapalle rural CI Suresh Kumar, Piler Urban CI Sadiq Ali, Molakalavaripalli CI Suresh Kumar and other staff members for cracking the case.