Thukkuguda: A 21-year-old Hindu nurse, Uke Shirisha, was found dead with severe injuries inside her residential quarters at Thukkuguda in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district on August 29. Police arrested 34-year-old bike mechanic MD Sanaullah, a native of Bihar, within 30 hours of receiving the complaint, based on technical evidence and other investigative leads.
Nurse found dead inside hospital quarters
Shirisha had reportedly come to Hyderabad with a friend and had been working as a nurse at Prime Care Hospital in Thukkuguda for around seven months. She was staying in residential quarters provided by the hospital along with other nursing staff.
According to the police account, Shirisha had returned to her room after completing her duties on the night of August 28. The following morning, she did not respond to repeated calls and knocks. Her friend subsequently informed her aunt, following which the room was accessed through a window.
Shirisha was found dead inside with injuries, including injuries to her face. Her aunt lodged a complaint with the Pahadishareef Police at around 3.20 pm on August 29, after which police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The body was subsequently shifted to Osmania General Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Police initially investigated the case as a murder and awaited the autopsy findings before making definitive comments regarding the sexual-assault allegation.
Police trace accused through technical evidence
Investigators examined the crime scene, collected forensic clues and analysed technical evidence. Police teams, including the Pahadishareef Police and Shamshabad Zonal Task Force, eventually identified the accused as 34-year-old MD Sanaullah.
Sanaullah, originally from Begusarai district in Bihar, had reportedly come to Hyderabad in 2023. He initially worked at a mechanic shop in Uppal before moving to Thukkuguda around two months ago, where he worked and stayed at a mechanic shop near the Srisailam Highway.
Police said Sanaullah had allegedly noticed Shirisha through a rear-side window of the mechanic shop and had been observing her movements. Investigators allege that he subsequently developed an intention to sexually assault her and entered her room through a window during the intervening night of August 28 and 29.
Police allege struggle before sexual assault and murder
According to the police reconstruction of the incident, Sanaullah allegedly entered the room at around 12.30 am. When Shirisha woke up and raised an alarm, he allegedly attempted to restrain her.
Police said she resisted strongly during the struggle and allegedly bit his finger and scratched his throat and chest. Investigators allege that Sanaullah then assaulted her and strangled her before allegedly sexually assaulting her and leaving the room through the window.
Some reports have also mentioned an assault on her head during the struggle. However, details concerning the precise sequence of injuries and the sexual assault remain subject to the ongoing investigation and forensic examination.
Police have seized a Samsung mobile phone and clothes belonging to the accused as part of the investigation. Authorities said scientific, forensic and technical evidence is being collected and analysed to corroborate the allegations.
Case registered under BNS and SC/ST Act
Police registered the case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections relating to murder and rape, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Reports identify the case as Crime No. 554/2026. The investigation remains underway, with police continuing to examine scientific and corroborative evidence before filing the final case.
Protests outside Osmania mortuary
The case triggered protests after Shirisha’s body was taken to Osmania General Hospital for post-mortem examination. Family members and BJP leaders demanded stringent punishment for the accused and called for justice for the young nurse. Some protesters demanded that the accused be killed in a police encounter, drawing comparisons with the earlier Disha case. Heavy police deployment was reported around the mortuary as authorities worked to maintain law and order. BJP leader Andela Sriramulu described Shirisha as a “tribal daughter” and demanded justice for her family.
