A local Congress leader was found lying dead in her bathroom at her apartment in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday, after she was murdered in what police suspect to be an alleged robbery attempt. Investigation officials said that some ornaments, including a gold chain weighing 200 grams were stolen. The deceased was identified as Bhogasamudram Vijaya Reddy, a former municipal corporator, and the incident took place at NGGO’s Colony in Akkayyapalem.
According to media reports, Vijaya's husband returned home from work late on Monday evening but found his flat to be locked, following which he stayed at a neighbour's house for the night. After getting a spare key from a relative, he opened the door on Tuesday morning, only to find her lying dead in the bathroom. The police said that the last message from Vijaya was to her husband, who is a bank employee, at 11 am on Monday, where she informed him that she was going out on some work. Following this, her phone was switched off and her husband was unable to contact her in the evening.
Investigation officials also said that a man and a woman had recently contacted Vijaya and evinced interest over buying her flat for Rs 1.3 crore. They are enquiring if the duo had any role in the murder.
While the police have established that Vijaya was killed with a sharp object, presumably a knife, they said that further details would be revealed once the post-mortem report is out.
“There are several cut marks on her body and on the hands. There are several slash wounds, probably inflicted by a sharp-edged weapon, and the injuries on the hand indicate that she tried to defend herself,” the police were quoted as saying.
The IV Town Police in the city have registered a case and the body has been sent for an autopsy. Further details are awaited.