Denied marriage, couple dies after suicide attempt at Kondaveedu fort in Guntur

Vijayawada: A young couple who attempted suicide by consuming pesticide at Kondaveedu Fort died while undergoing treatment at Guntur Govt General Hospital.According to police, the deceased have been identified as Rasika Manikanta Raju, 20, a resident of Swarnabharat Nagar in Guntur, and the woman, aged 18, from Ankamma Nagar. The two were in a relationship for the past two years, but their families reportedly opposed their marriage. Subsequently, the woman was recently married to another person against her wishes.Unable to cope with the separation, the woman is said to have returned to Guntur, expressing her unwillingness to continue with her marriage. On April 7, the couple went to Kondaveedu Fort in an auto and stopped the vehicle by the ghat road and allegedly consumed a pesticide in an attempt to end their lives.Locals who noticed the duo alerted emergency services, and both were shifted to Guntur GGHL in a 108 ambulance. However, Manikanta Raju succumbed while undergoing treatment on the evening of April 8, while the woman died on April 9 after her condition deteriorated.Based on a complaint filed by the mother of Manikanta Raju, the Yadlapadu police registered a case and initiated an investigation. Police said a post-mortem examination of Raju was conducted on Thursday, and the body was handed over to his family.