KAKINADA: Allegations of sustained harassment and pressure to convert to Islam have emerged against Kakinada-based rifle-shooting organiser Sheikh Sadiq Khan in connection with the suicide of Panchayat Raj Assistant Engineer Thillapudi Nookaraju (61), his wife, widowed daughter Kovoori Sowjanya and his 10-year-old grandson. The family reportedly jumped into the Godavari, with Nookaraju and Sowjanya leaving notes referring to the alleged harassment.
According to the contents of the letters, Sadiq Khan allegedly targeted Sowjanya after the death of her husband Jagadisheddi. She reportedly accused Khan of threatening and blackmailing her, pressuring her to convert to Islam, threatening her family and taking control of details relating to her property, phone and SBI locker. She also reportedly alleged that Khan was responsible for her husband’s death.
Nookaraju, a resident of Ashok Nagar in Kakinada and a Panchayat Raj AE in Pithapuram mandal, travelled to Rajamahendravaram on Sunday (August 16) night with his wife Meena (58), daughter Kovoori Sowjanya (38), and grandson Riansh Karthikeya Reddy (10).
The family parked their car on the road-cum-rail bridge and jumped into the Godavari after midnight. The 10-year-old boy, who knew how to swim, managed to stay afloat and shouted for help. Fishermen rescued him and brought him safely to the shore. He was later shifted to hospital for treatment.
The police reportedly seized a letter written by Sowjanya. She had allegedly expressed suspicions over Jagadisheddi’s death and stated that she was unable to bear Khan’s alleged harassment and pressure.
Sowjanya’s son had been enrolled in rifle-shooting practice, and she used to accompany him to the classes. It is suspected that Khan met her through the shooting classes, allegedly trapped her and subsequently subjected her to continuous harassment and pressure.
As per local sources, Sadiq Khan, while presenting himself as a rifle-shooting coach, focused on girls and women attending the academy. There were also allegations that he touched trainees inappropriately while teaching shooting.
Case registered, Khan reportedly absconding
The Sarpavaram police have registered a case against Sadiq Khan following a complaint by Jagadisheddi’s father, Bhaskara Reddy, who reportedly expressed suspicion over his son’s death and sought an investigation. Police are searching for Khan, who reportedly left Kakinada after the matter came to light. Multiple police teams are reportedly searching for him.
Khan was allegedly suspended by his previous employer while working as a lecturer following similar allegations of targeting women. Khan is also a YSRCP functionary in Kakinada.
Locals are demanding a thorough investigation into the case, including the background of Sheikh Sadiq Khan and his family.
Critics have raised questions over whether Khan may have received weapons training from a terrorist organisation before opening the rifle-shooting classes. Meanwhile, the ACARF team, police and divers are continuing the search connected with the Godavari tragedy involving Nookaraju’s family.
