In a significant development, the Andhra Pradesh government has issued orders transferring the case of suspicious death of Dalit girl Sugali Preethi in Kurnool in 2017 to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The case, originally registered at Kurnool Taluka police station in August 2017, was handed over following orders from state home secretary Kumar Viswajit.
Deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan had earlier promised to ensure the case would be investigated by the CBI.
After the coalition government assumed power, Pawan directed CID officials to pursue the matter. While in opposition, he had staged massive rallies in Kurnool, demanding a CBI probe into the case, alleging lapses under the YSRCP government.
Eventually, the YSRCP government issued orders handing the case to the CBI, but progress stalled thereafter.
The CBI told the Supreme Court early this year that it has not taken up the investigation into the case.
The case dates back to 2017 when Preethi, a student at a Kurnool school, was found hanging under suspicious circumstances. Her parents alleged that the school management had raped and murdered her.
After the YSRCP came to power in 2019, the case lost momentum. It resurfaced due to Pawan Kalyan’s campaign, ultimately leading to the CBI probe order.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family has received all government benefits assured to them.
