VIJAYAWADA: An 18-year-old woman, who had been admitted to hospital on February 2 following a suicide attempt due to sexual harassment, died while undergoing treatment in Guntur district on Wednesday.
According to the police, the woman was being harassed by a resident of her native village some months ago. Her parents sent her to her grandmother’s house in Prakasam district two months ago to protect her from the accused. But the accused, accompanied by two of his family members, followed the woman to Prakasam district and tried to force her to return with them. Villagers put up a resistance and soon after, the woman’s father brought her back home.
On February 2, the accused came to the woman’s house, assaulted her father and threatened the family with dire consequences. Upset, the woman later consumed rat poison. She was rushed to hospital but died while undergoing treatment.
Vasireddy Padma, chairperson of the State Commission for Women, visited and consoled the deceased’s family. She demanded strict action against the accused. She also said girls and women in distress should take help ofthe Disha mobile application, Dial 100 or the women police.
The accused and his family members who assisted him have been arrested.
