Andhra Engineer, Wife And Daughter Jump to Death in Godavari; Rifle Coach Arrested After Note Names Him

Kakinada district police have arrested rifle-shooting coach Sheikh Sadhik Khan in connection with the death of Kovvuri Jagadeesh Reddy and the subsequent deaths of three members of Jagadeesh’s family, who allegedly jumped into the Godavari River near Rajahmundry in an apparent suicide pact.

Kakinada District SP G Bindu Madhav constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a detailed probe into the case. The investigation is examining allegations made against Khan, including claims of harassment, threats, poisoning and religious conversion.

Family Jumped Into Godavari River

The incident took place on the intervening night of August 16 and 17 near the Road-cum-Railway Bridge in Rajahmundry.

According to police, Kovvuri Soujanya, 34, her parents Tillapudi Nookaraju, 61, and Tillapudi Meena, 59, and her 10-year-old son Riyansh Karthikeya Reddy travelled from Kakinada to Kovvur before reaching the bridge.

Nookaraju, an assistant engineer in the Panchayati Raj department in Pithapuram, and Meena allegedly jumped into the river first. Soujanya and Riyansh then followed. The child became trapped in the bridge’s grill before falling into the river.

Rajahmundry II Town Police received a 112 emergency call at around 11.40 pm and reached the spot. The family’s car and footwear were found on the bridge.

Two fishermen alerted by the police rescued Riyansh. Nookaraju, Meena and Soujanya were swept away and their bodies were later recovered.

Suicide Notes Name Sadhik Khan

Police registered Crime No. 143/2026 under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), corresponding to Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

During the probe, police recovered notes allegedly written by the family.

In her note, Soujanya allegedly accused Sadhik Khan of harassing her and claimed that he had killed her husband, Jagadeesh Reddy, by administering chemical poison.

Nookaraju had also allegedly sent a 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 the family’s life after Jagadeesh Reddy’s death in July, assuring Soujanya that he would help her. He further alleged that Khan threatened Soujanya, her son and himself and took control of valuables and bank accounts.

Family Alleged Threats Over Property

Meena’s alleged note expressed concern about her daughter and grandson and referred to her husband’s health problems.

She allegedly described Khan as cruel and claimed that the family was unable to face him.

Meena also alleged that Khan would sell her daughter and grandson. She further claimed to have heard a phone conversation in which Khan allegedly said he would acquire the family’s entire property once Soujanya got it transferred into her name.

These allegations are part of the ongoing investigation and have not been independently established.

Sadhik Khan Arrested In Meerut

Acting on what police described as reliable intelligence, a special team travelled to Meerut in Uttar Pradesh.

With assistance from the local police, the team arrested Sheikh Sadhik Khan near the Nauchandi Police Station area at around 9 am on August 22.

Khan was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in Meerut, where police obtained a transit warrant. He was subsequently brought to Kakinada and produced before the Kakinada Special Mobile Judicial First Class Magistrate Court.

SIT Examining Digital And Financial Evidence

The SIT, led by Kakinada in-charge Sub-Divisional Police Officer and Additional SP (Administration) Dr Mahanti Kishore Kumar, is conducting the investigation.

Police are examining the allegations contained in the suicide notes and alleged dying declaration, Khan’s role in the case, the circumstances surrounding Jagadeesh Reddy’s death, alleged threats against the family and claims relating to religious conversion.

Investigators are also analysing mobile phones, digital evidence, CCTV footage, call detail records, medical records and bank transactions to reconstruct the sequence of events and establish the role of the accused.

Khan’s arrest is an investigative development, and the allegations against him will have to be established through the ongoing probe and judicial process.