Police arrest rifle coach Sadhik Khan following mass suicide in Andhra Pradesh

VIJAYAWADA: “Harassment by Sadhik Khan was the reason for my death,” a 34-year-old woman allegedly wrote in a suicide note before jumping into the Godavari river with her parents and 10-year-old son in Andhra Pradesh’s Rajahmundry, police said. The woman, Kovvuri Soujanya, also accused Khan, a rifle shooting coach, of killing her husband, Jagadeesh Reddy, by allegedly administering chemical poison. Soujanya, her parents Tillapudi Nookaraju and Tillapudi Meena, and her son Riyansh Karthikeya Reddy jumped from the Road-cum-Railway Bridge near Rajahmundry on August 17. The boy survived after becoming trapped in the bridge’s grill before falling into the river. Two fishermen, alerted by police, rescued him. Soujanya and her parents were swept away and their bodies were later recovered. Police have now arrested Khan in connection with Jagadeesh Reddy’s alleged murder.

Family travelled from Kakinada

The family had travelled from Kakinada to Kovvur before reaching the bridge late on August 17. Nookaraju, 61, was an assistant engineer in the Panchayati Raj department in Pithapuram in Kakinada district. His wife Meena was 59, while Soujanya was 34. According to police, Nookaraju and Meena jumped into the river first. Soujanya then followed with her son. At around 11.40pm, Rajahmundry II Town Police received a call through the 112 emergency service. Officers who reached the bridge found the family's car and footwear there. Police alerted fishermen in the river and two of them managed to rescue Riyansh. The boy's grandparents and mother could not be saved.

'He threatened my daughter and grandson'

The case took a new turn when investigators recovered suicide notes left by the family. Nookaraju had allegedly sent his note through WhatsApp to an engineers' group, addressing the Kakinada district Collector and Superintendent of Police. He blamed Khan for the family's decision to take the extreme step. According to the note, Nookaraju alleged that Khan entered their lives after Jagadeesh's death in July, initially assuring Soujanya that he would help her. He then accused Khan of threatening Soujanya, her son and himself with death. Nookaraju also alleged that Khan had taken control of valuables and bank accounts belonging to the family.

Mother alleged property plot

Meena's note also contained allegations against Khan. She allegedly said she was worried about what would happen to her daughter and grandson and referred to her husband's poor health. She described Khan as cruel and said the family could not face him. She also alleged that Khan would “sell” her daughter and grandson. Meena further claimed that she had heard a telephone conversation in which Khan allegedly said he would acquire the family's entire property once it was transferred into Soujanya's name. Police are investigating these allegations.

Khan arrested in Meerut

Kakinada district superintendent of police G Bindu Madhav formed a Special Investigation Team to investigate the case. The SIT is being led by Kakinada in-charge sub-divisional Police Officer and Additional SP (Admin) Dr Mahanti Kishore Kumar. A special team travelled to Meerut after receiving information about Khan's whereabouts. With the help of Uttar Pradesh Police, officers arrested him near Nauchandi Police Station at about 9am on August 22. Khan was produced before a chief judicial magistrate court in Meerut, where police obtained a transit warrant. He was then brought to Kakinada and produced before the Kakinada Special Mobile Judicial First Class Magistrate Court.

Police probe alleged poisoning

Police are investigating whether Khan had any role in Jagadeesh Reddy's death and whether the allegations made by Soujanya and her parents can be substantiated. They are also examining claims of threats, financial control and religious conversion. Investigators are analysing mobile phones, call data records, CCTV footage, medical records, bank transactions and other digital evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events. Police said the investigation will also establish the circumstances surrounding Jagadeesh's death and determine Khan's alleged role in the case.