A Kakinada family’s plunge into the Godavari River has taken a shocking new turn. Panchayat Raj Assistant Engineer Tillapudi Nookaraju, his wife, daughter and 10-year-old grandson allegedly took the extreme step after accusing rifle shooting coach Sheikh Sadiq Khan of prolonged harassment and threats. The boy survived, Nookaraju’s body was recovered, and the search continued for the two women. Sadiq remains absconding, while a letter written by Nookaraju’s daughter has now raised serious suspicions about her husband’s recent death.
Nookaraju, 61, lived with his family in Ashok Nagar, Kakinada, and had been working as a Panchayat Raj AE in Pithapuram mandal for the past decade. He was due to retire next January.
Late on Sunday night, Nookaraju travelled to Rajamahendravaram with his wife Meena, 58, daughter Kovuri Sowjanya, 38, and grandson Riyansh Karthikeya Reddy, 10. The family reportedly stopped their car on the road-cum-rail bridge before entering the Godavari River.
Karthikeya, who had learned swimming as a child, remained in the water for nearly 20 minutes and repeatedly shouted for help. Fishermen eventually spotted him and brought him to safety. He suffered minor injuries to his leg and waist.
Nookaraju’s body was recovered near Dhobighat in Rajamahendravaram on Monday evening. Search operations continued for Meena and Sowjanya.
Two Letters Reveal Alleged Harassment
Before the incident, Nookaraju sent a letter through WhatsApp to colleagues and others, explaining the circumstances that allegedly drove the family to take the extreme step.
In the letter, he accused Sadiq of harassing and threatening his daughter. He alleged that Sadiq had taken control of the family’s valuables and bank accounts and had threatened to kill both Nookaraju and his grandson.
Police have now recovered another letter, reportedly written by Sowjanya and placed inside the storage compartment of a scooter at her residence. Karthikeya informed the police about it after being rescued.
The contents of Sowjanya’s letter have added a new and serious dimension to the investigation.
According to the letter, Sadiq allegedly threatened Sowjanya using her private photographs and pressured her over family property. She also claimed that he threatened to kill her father and other family members if she refused to cooperate with him.
She further alleged that Sadiq had taken possession of her husband’s mobile phone, the key to an SBI locker and documents related to her father’s property.
Suspicion Over Husband’s Death
Sowjanya’s husband, Jagadeeswara Reddy, died on July 2. In her letter, she reportedly alleged that Sadiq was responsible for his death and claimed that her husband had been given a poisonous substance.
These allegations have not been independently established and are now being examined by the police.
Following the recovery of the letter, Jagadeeswara Reddy’s father, Bhaskara Reddy, approached the Kakinada Superintendent of Police and sought a detailed investigation into his son’s death.
Based on his complaint, Sarpavaram police registered a case against Sadiq under several legal provisions, including an attempt-to-murder charge.
Police have not yet announced any conclusive findings regarding Jagadeeswara Reddy’s death or the allegations made in Sowjanya’s letter.
Sadiq Remains Absconding
Sadiq reportedly fled Kakinada after learning about the Godavari incident. He is believed to have left his mobile phone at home before leaving the city.
Investigators reportedly found that he contacted family members and a lawyer using another person’s phone while travelling by train.
Three police teams from Kakinada district and two from East Godavari district are searching for him. Police are also trying to trace the mobile phone belonging to Sowjanya’s husband, which she alleged was in Sadiq’s possession.
More Women Raise Allegations
Sadiq had previously worked as a shooting coach at a private school in Kakinada. He was reportedly removed following allegations of inappropriate conduct toward a student and later established his own shooting academy.
Following the latest case, some women who trained at the academy have also made allegations about his behaviour.
They claimed that Sadiq would ask selected students to attend special training sessions at specific times when others were not present. One former student alleged that he touched trainees inappropriately under the pretext of correcting their shooting positions.
Another woman said the lack of an electronic shooting facility at the District Sports Authority left aspiring shooters with few alternatives in Kakinada.
These claims remain allegations and will require verification during the investigation.
The 10-Year-Old Boy Who Survived
Karthikeya’s survival brought the entire incident to light.
The boy said he tried to stop his mother when the family was on the bridge. According to his account, his mother held his hand, and he fell into the river while attempting to pull her back.
Despite the darkness and his injuries, the 10-year-old managed to swim for nearly 20 minutes, repeatedly shouting “Help” until fishermen heard him and came to his rescue.
Police are now examining the two letters, witness statements, phone records, financial transactions and property documents to determine the complete sequence of events.
