Police in Siddipet, Telangana, have arrested a mother and her son suspected of involvement in a series of murders and robberies targeting women living alone for gold and cash. Siddipet Police Commissioner Rashmi Perumal confirmed the arrest of Chakali Rajitha, 38, of Bhoompally village, and the detention of her juvenile son.
The investigation commenced following the discovery of a partially burnt female body in agricultural fields near Ramakkapeta on August 8. The victim was identified as Athikam Vijaya, 45, a resident of Bhoompally. Police allege that Rajitha and her son strangled Vijaya at their grocery shop before transporting her body on a moped, dousing it with petrol, and setting it on fire.
“During the investigation, we were able to establish the identity of the deceased and trace the crime to the accused. The mother-son duo allegedly targeted women after monitoring their movements, assets and personal disputes,” said Commissioner Rashmi Perumal.
Authorities have also linked the suspects to the murder of Kunta Rekha on May 28, whose body was found burnt in the Achamayyapalli forest area, and to a robbery in June 2025 involving the theft of a five-tola gold mangalsutra from a woman named Annapurna.
Police recovered assets valued at approximately Rs 10 lakh during the inquiry, including 5.61 tolas of gold, 53 tolas of silver, Rs 1.03 lakh in cash, two mobile phones, and the moped used in the crimes.
The accused reportedly identified victims by observing their movements, assets, and personal disputes, and studied crime-related web series while planning the crimes.
Commissioner Perumal urged residents to enhance security measures, especially through the installation of CCTV cameras, stating, “We are appealing to people to install CCTV cameras to help control crime and strengthen security measures.”