Hans news service Tirupati

A shocking case involving the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor girl has led to the arrest of a GST Department employee and his wife in Tirupati.

Police said the accused, Rama Murthy (51), who works as a senior assistant, repeatedly assaulted a 16-year-old girl and threatened her with dire consequences to keep her silent.

Investigators revealed that the victim was allegedly abused on several occasions at the accused’s residence in Tirupati and at other places.

Rama Murthy, who is related to the girl as the husband of her aunt, reportedly stored personal photographs and chat conversations exchanged with the minor through mobile phone and ShareChat.

Police said he allegedly used the material to blackmail the victim and threatened to upload it on social media if she failed to meet him whenever he called.

He also allegedly warned the girl that her parents would be killed if she disclosed the incidents.

The case surfaced after the victim’s parents learnt about the harassment and approached the Jagadgirigutta police station in Telangana.

Police there registered a Zero FIR and later transferred the case to Tirupati East police station for further action. Based on the complaint, a case was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Tirupati Superintendent of Police L Subba Rayudu directed officials to conduct a detailed investigation, which was led by DSP M Bhaktavatsalam.

During the investigation, police allegedly found that the victim’s aunt, Manasa, a Deputy Tahsildar working at Railway Koduru, had attempted to shield her husband from legal action.

Following the collection of evidence, both Rama Murthy and Manasa were arrested on Thursday and later produced before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody. SP Rayudu appealed to the public to immediately report incidents of sexual abuse, harassment and blackmail involving children.

He assured that the identity of victims would be kept confidential and said strict legal action would be taken against those involved in crimes against minors.