A 38-year-old woman who allegedly watched crime fiction and online content to learn about murders and methods of disposing of bodies went on to make her juvenile son an accomplice in at least two killings for gold, Siddipet police said on Sunday, after arresting her in connection with the murder of a 45-year-old woman.

Chakali Rajitha, a resident of Bhoompally village, allegedly confessed during questioning that she had watched crime-related fiction and online content to understand how murders were committed and bodies disposed of, police said. She allegedly involved her juvenile son in the crimes and together they targeted women they believed could be robbed or killed without immediately drawing suspicion.

The case came to light on August 8 when residents of Ramakkapeta village in Dubbak mandal spotted a partially burnt body of an unidentified woman near agricultural fields. A case was registered at Dubbak police station and special teams from the CCS and Task Force were formed.

The victim was subsequently identified as Athikam Vijaya, 45, a resident of Bhoompally. Siddipet police commissioner Rashmi Perumal said that local CCTV footage helped investigators trace the movements of Rajitha and her son, aged between 15-18. Investigation also revealed that she had poured scalding hot water on her husband Dubbayya’s feet and paralysed him earlier.

According to the investigation, the duo called Vijaya, who lived alone near their house, into their grocery shop on the evening of August 8. They allegedly strangled her and later transported her body on a moped to the outskirts of Ramakkapeta, where they poured petrol over it and set it ablaze.

The investigation then opened up a more disturbing trail. Police said Rajitha and her son had allegedly murdered Kunta Rekha, a resident of the Double Bedroom houses, on May 28 and burnt her body in the Achamayyapalli forest area.

“The duo had allegedly also attacked Annapurna, wife of Jennareddy of Bhoompally, during a morning walk in June 2025 and robbed her five-tola gold mangalsutra. She survived the attack,” explained the commissioner.

She added that the accused selected their targets after observing their movements, assets and personal disputes. Vijaya was allegedly chosen because she was involved in land disputes with relatives, while Rekha’s active presence on Instagram was allegedly seen as a way to make people she interacted with appear suspicious after her death. Annapurna, meanwhile, was targeted because she regularly went for walks alone.

The investigation further revealed that the accused had allegedly identified three more women from Bhoompally as potential targets. Police said Rajitha had also allegedly planned to kill her own husband.

The police seized 5.61 tolas of gold ornaments, 53 tolas of silver ornaments, ₹1.03 lakh in cash, two mobile phones and the blue TVS XL allegedly used to transport the bodies. The total value of the seized property was estimated at around ₹10 lakh.

Police said the duo used their tea point to observe people and gather information about their movements, assets and disputes. After each alleged murder, they are believed to have deliberately created circumstances that could divert suspicion towards others.

Commissioner Perumal said the case was solved within a week with the arrest of Rajitha and detention of the juvenile. The woman was remanded in judicial custody, while the juvenile was sent to a juvenile home.

The officer said the investigation also helped police solve another earlier murder and a robbery case. She cautioned residents against sharing personal information with strangers and urged them to remain alert, particularly while travelling through isolated areas.

Published - August 16, 2026 06:29 pm IST