𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲: "𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫"

Shivi Forensics


Case Study: Saidabad Rape and Murder

Written By 
Dinesh Kumar Kandukuri 
National Forensic Sciences University (Bhopal Campus)
M.Sc. Forensic Science 1st Semester 

Introduction
The Saidabad Incident refers to the shocking and brutal rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in the Saidabad neighborhood of Hyderabad, India, in September 2021. This case triggered widespread outrage and protests across the country, demanding swift justice for the victim.



Case Summary:
On September 9, 2021, a six-year-old girl from the Singareni Colony, Saidabad, Hyderabad, went missing from her home. After a frantic search by her parents, the body of the girl was found in the house of Raju Kandula, a 30-year-old neighbor and laborer. The autopsy later confirmed that the child had been raped and then strangled to death.



Raju, who had been absconding since the crime, was eventually tracked down by the police after an intense manhunt. However, Raju was found dead, allegedly by suicide on September 16, 2021 on the railway tracks in Warangal district. His death raised questions about whether it was a case of suicide or extrajudicial killing by law enforcement.

Major Evidence:
1. Victim's Body:
The girl’s body was discovered inside the house of the accused, which became the central piece of evidence. The condition of the body indicated sexual assault followed by strangulation.
2. DNA and Biological Evidence:
Semen samples were collected from the victim’s body which were crucial in establishing the occurrence of rape.
3. Clothing and Personal Belongings:
The victim's clothes, along with traces of blood, hair, and fibers found in the suspect’s house, were significant in linking the accused to the crime.
4. Autopsy Report:
The autopsy confirmed rape and indicated that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to strangulation. The presence of physical injuries further corroborated the nature of the assault.
5. CCTV Footage:
Surveillance footage from nearby cameras captured Raju fleeing the scene after the crime, which played a vital role in identifying him as the primary suspect.
6. Witness Testimony:
Neighbors and family members testified about the child being last seen near Raju’s house. The parents' account of the child going missing and the subsequent discovery of her body added weight to the case.

Procedure Followed for Evidence Collection, Preservation, and Packaging:
1. Securing the Crime Scene:
Police cordoned off the house of the accused to ensure that no evidence was disturbed. The entry and exit points of the house were secured to preserve any trace evidence.
2. Photographic and Videographic Documentation:
The entire crime scene, including the room where the girl’s body was found, was photographed to document the positioning of the body, bloodstains, and any other relevant physical evidence.
3. Collection of Physical Evidence:
(i) Biological Samples: Swabs were taken from the victim’s body to collect DNA evidence, including semen, which was later compared to that of the accused.
(ii) Victim's Clothing: The victim's clothes were collected for testing any traces of bodily fluids, fibers, or hair.
(iii) Scene of Crime Evidence: Bloodstains, fingerprints, and hair strands from the accused were also collected from the room.
4. Packaging and Preservation:
Biological samples were preserved in sterile containers to prevent degradation. The victim’s clothing and other trace evidence were stored in clean, dry paper bags and sealed with tamper-proof tape to maintain the chain of custody.
5. Chain of custody:
A meticulous record of all the evidence collected, stored, and analyzed was maintained to ensure it was not tampered with at any stage. This is particularly important for DNA evidence, which is critical in sexual assault cases.

Types of Tests Used for Analysis of Evidence at the Lab:
1. DNA Profiling:
The semen samples collected from the victim’s body were subjected to DNA profiling. The DNA profile matched that of Raju Kandula, establishing his direct involvement in the crime.
2. Forensic Pathology (Autopsy):
The post-mortem examination was key in determining the cause of death. The autopsy revealed that the victim was sexually assaulted and then strangled, leading to asphyxiation.
3. Fingerprint Analysis:
Fingerprints lifted from the crime scene were analyzed and compared to those of the suspect. Several prints matched those of Raju, further linking him to the crime.
4. Toxicology Tests:
Toxicology tests were conducted on the victim to determine if she had been drugged prior to the assault. However, no traces of drugs were found in her system.
5. Forensic examination of clothing:
The victim’s clothing was tested for the presence of biological fluids and trace evidence like hair or fibers. This helped confirm that Raju was in contact with the victim at the time of the crime.
Interpretation of the Evidence:
• DNA Evidence: The DNA samples from the victim’s body unequivocally matched the profile of Raju Kandula. This was the most conclusive piece of evidence linking the accused to the crime.
• Autopsy Report: The cause of death was established as strangulation, following rape. The injuries on the body were consistent with the assault described in the police report.
• Fingerprints and Physical Evidence: Fingerprints found at the scene of the crime, combined with the bloodstains, hair, and other physical evidence from the accused’s house, corroborated the prosecution’s case that Raju had committed the crime.

Judgement And Legal Outcome:
Although the accused, Raju Kandula, was identified through solid forensic evidence, his death before trial prevented the case from proceeding through the regular judicial process. He was found dead on the railway tracks after a massive manhunt. His death closed the case legally, but it sparked controversy and public outrage, with many questioning the circumstances of his demise. Some speculated that it might have been an extrajudicial killing, as police pressure mounted to bring justice swiftly.

The case remains a disturbing example of the rising violence against children and the failures of the justice system to protect the most vulnerable. The quick closure of the case due to the suspect’s death left many questions unanswered about procedural fairness, but the overwhelming forensic evidence pointed to his guilt. Had the trial proceeded, the DNA evidence, autopsy findings, and physical evidence from the scene would have ensured a conviction.

Public and Legal Impact:
The Saidabad incident triggered widespread protests and calls for more stringent punishment for crimes against children, similar to demands made during other high-profile rape cases in India. There were public outcries for the introduction of faster-track courts to handle such cases and amendments to existing laws to increase the severity of punishments for sexual crimes against minors. The incident also highlighted issues related to women and child safety in urban areas, sparking discussions on better preventive remeasures and stricter law enforcement.
This case remains one of the many tragic reminders of the need for swift and effective justice in crimes of this nature.
 
References 



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