Family members of K Anusha, a nine-month-pregnant woman who was allegedly murdered by her husband, and women's groups on Tuesday, April 15 demanded the harshest punishment for the accused.
Women’s organisations urged the Andhra Pradesh government to set up a fast-track court for an expeditious trial in the case, which has sparked public outrage. They staged a protest near King George Hospital, where an autopsy was conducted on 27-year-old Anusha’s body.
Leaders of the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) raised slogans demanding a fast-track court and justice for Anusha’s family. They called for stringent punishment for Gnaneswara Rao and vowed to continue their fight until justice is delivered. The activists also urged the police to ensure that the accused does not get bail and appealed to lawyers not to represent him in court.
Family members and friends alleged that Gnaneswara Rao murdered Anusha in a premeditated manner. They claimed he delayed taking her to the hospital and strangled her while she was asleep.
The crime occurred early on April 14 at their residence in Madhurawada, under PM Palem police station limits. According to police, the couple had a love marriage in December 2022 and lived in a rented house near the RTC Depot in Madhurawada. Gnaneswara Rao runs two fast-food centres, while Anusha had completed a hotel management course.
She was due to be admitted to the hospital for delivery on Monday morning. However, the accused informed her relatives that she had collapsed and fallen unconscious. He, along with her relatives, took her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
After her family raised suspicions about the cause of death, police interrogated Gnaneswara Rao, and he confessed to the crime. Preliminary investigations revealed he strangled her with a cloth while she was asleep.
Anusha’s family told police that Gnaneswara Rao had been trying to distance himself from her for some time. At one point, he reportedly told her he had cancer and urged her to divorce him and remarry. Anusha, however, refused to leave him. Despite being married for nearly three years, he never introduced Anusha to his parents and constantly made excuses to avoid doing so.
Anusha had lost her mother as a child, and her father passed away four years ago. She had recently invited her grandmother to stay with her and help with the delivery. Her relatives alleged that Gnaneswara Rao deceived Anusha in the name of love and marriage and killed her when his plans to abandon her failed.