A 55-year-old woman survived for nearly 21 hours inside a remote agricultural well in Telangana’s Karimnagar district after she was allegedly robbed and pushed into the well by a 21-year-old student who police say wanted to eliminate the only witness to his crime.
Investigators said the defendant accumulated approx $4 lakh in debt through online gambling and betting.
Her rescue led investigators to Dhamma Dinesh Reddy, a student, who police say planned the robbery while struggling with mounting debt after losing nearly $200. $4 lakh on online gambling and betting platforms, according to an NDTV report.
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The accused pushed the woman into the well
According to police, the robbery escalated into an attempted murder after the accused pushed the woman into the well to eliminate the only witness who could identify her.
The case began as a missing person’s complaint after 55-year-old Tangarala Lakshmi, a daily wage labourer, failed to return home on July 1.
“On the first night, we only received a missing case report. Her son lodged a complaint that his mother, a daily wage earner, had not returned home. At that point, there was no suspicion against anyone, so we registered a regular missing complaint,” Karimnagar Police Commissioner Ghaus Alam told NDTV.
The investigation took a dramatic turn the next morning when the police received a phone call on 100 from the outskirts of Nostolapur village. The villagers had rescued Lakshmi from a deep agricultural well after she spent nearly a day trapped inside it.
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I started with a business pitch and a Rapido bike
After her rescue, Lakshmi told investigators that a stranger approached her and offered her work on his farm.
“He booked a Rapido bike and took it towards Thimmapur village in the district. Since he could not find a secluded place there due to CCTV cameras and general movement, he picked it up on his motorcycle and took it to a remote road near Nustulapur village,” Ghaus Alam added.
After reaching the isolated location, the accused allegedly threatened Lakshmi and robbed her of about 5 grams of gold ornaments, 20 grams of silver anklets and cash, the police said.
Investigators said that the accused then tried to make sure that she would not survive.
“His intention was clear. After stealing it, he wanted to kill the victim so that no one could recognize him. This clearly shows the motive,” Gaus Alam said.
The accused pushed Lakshmi into the agricultural well, thinking she would die, police said.
The woman remained on her feet, holding a rope
Lakshmi initially managed to stay afloat by holding on to a rope inside the well. Investigators said the defendant noticed this and cut the rope.
The commissioner added: “Even after pushing her into the well, he noticed that she was holding on to a rope and deliberately cut it. This shows his clear intention to kill.”
Despite this, Lakshmi survived. Because she knew how to swim, she reached another cable connected to the engine pipeline and clung to it all night.
Ghaus Alam said: “She remained inside the well for approximately 20 to 21 hours. Because the area was completely isolated, no one heard her screams until the next morning when local farmers rescued her.”
After her rescue, the police formed a special investigation team and traced the suspect using Rapido booking records, CCTV footage and mobile phone analysis.
“We examined the Rapido passenger, verified the technical evidence and CCTV footage, and succeeded in identifying and arresting the accused. During interrogation, he confessed to committing the crime,” the commissioner said.
Investigations also revealed that the accused sold the stolen gold jewelry to a jewelry merchant.
“The jeweler had knowingly purchased stolen property. We have also arrested him under the relevant provisions for receiving stolen property,” Ghaus Alam said.
Gambling debts and loans
According to the police, Dhamma Dinesh Reddy had accumulated huge debts after losing nearly as much $4 lakh on online gambling and betting platforms and through loan applications.
The police arrested Dhamma Dinesh Reddy and referred him to court for further legal action.
