A rifle‑shooting instructor has been arrested in connection with the deaths of Panchayat Raj assistant engineer Thillapudi Nookaraju and two members of his family, who allegedly jumped into the Godavari River in Rajamahendravaram earlier this month.
The incident occurred on the night of August 16–17, when Nookaraju, his wife Meena, daughter Sowjanya, and 10‑year‑old grandson leapt from the road‑cum‑rail bridge. Fishermen rescued the boy, but Nookaraju and the two women died.
Investigators recovered a note allegedly written by Nookaraju, which referred to rifle‑shooting coach Sheikh Sadhik Khan. Police registered a case against Khan on allegations of religious conversion pressure, extortion, and murder. Khan was arrested in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, after a chase across five states involving more than 10 police teams.
Authorities said Khan had known the family for nearly two years and had trained the engineer’s grandson at a local school. Police are now examining his association with the family, his movements after the incident, and the allegations contained in the recovered note.
The case has triggered demands for a central probe. Former MP Vijayasai Reddy has urged that the investigation be handed over to the CBI or NIA, alleging possible links to a wider conspiracy involving religious conversions, extortion, and arms trafficking.
Officials confirmed Khan remains in custody while investigators reconstruct events and verify allegations. So far, police have found no evidence connecting the case to the alleged “love jihad” theory.
