Six arrested for abetting woman’s suicide at Vizag hotel

Visakhapatnam: The Arilova police in Vizag city on Thursday arrested six persons, including a woman, in connection with the suicide of 28-year-old Akumarthi Shanthi Kumari, who died by suicide in a hotel room at Visalakshi Nagar after being allegedly assaulted by her friends during a party.The arrested persons were identified as Putcha Sai Kiran (24), Rampa Laxmi (20), Gopasana Venkata Sai Jeswanth (23), Vasupalli Sai Kumar (24), and Narava Sai Kumar (25). Police said Sai Kiran, Sai Kumar and Jeswanth checked into B-Square Hotel near Visalakshi Nagar in the city on Tuesday. At around 1 pm, Lakshmi Sanjana, Putcha Sai Kiran, Pudiredla Mani and A Shanthi Kumari came to the hotel and stayed in room number 118, where they all consumed liquor. During the party, Shanthi Kumari questioned Lakshmi Sanjana for allegedly spreading rumours linking herself and Sai Kiran. When Lakshmi Sanjana denied it, there was a quarrel between them. Later, Sai Kiran, Lakshmi Sanjana, and Jeswanth physically assaulted Shanthi indiscriminately while the remaining persons abused her. Sai Kumar and B Mani left the hotel while the remaining persons moved to room number 119 in the hotel. After some time, Sai Kiran accompanied Shanthi in room number 118, and went out to bring water. Apparently upset over being assaulted by friends, Shanthi locked the door from inside and died by suicide. Shanthi's friends broke the door and found that Shanthi was hanging from the ceiling fan. Though she was shifted to a nearby hospital in the wee hours on Wednesday, where she was declared brought dead. Police said the entire incident is corroborated by availably CCTV footage from the premises and the acts of the victim's friends including physical assault, verbal abuse and humiliation, prime facie constitute abetment of suicide.Assistant commissioner of police A N Murthy said they have arrested six persons for abetting Shanthi's suicide and further investigation is on.