Andhra Pradesh double murder: The gruelling report from Andhra Pradesh of two daughters murdered by parents in the name of a ritual has left everyone in shock. Apparently, the father who is an associate professor at Government Women’s Degree College in Madanapalle wanted to return to work. 

The accused V Purushottam and wife Padmaja have already been arrested after allegedly murdering their daughters with dumbbells. They are now remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

D Venugopal Rayapati, the principal of the government college told The Quint, “Purushottam sent me a text message stating he will return to work on 27 January.” He further added that the accused had asked him ‘not to disturb’ him during his absence in the leave note.

Purushottam had stated that he would be attending a religious ritual from January 12 to 26 as the reason for the leave. “He told me that he needs to leave and I granted him leave as there was no reason for suspicion,” the Principal said.

The Principal also noted that the accused seemed very serious about the ritual as he had told other faculties to ‘leave him alone’ during the time. Also, Purushottam was positive about rejoining work after one week.

“I did not ask him anything further because he is not someone who takes leave often. I felt it must have been urgent,” Rayapati said.

Meanwhile, two days before his leave was to end, on 25 January, Purshottam had allegedly told a friend of his about the murder. The friend further informed other neighbours as well as the police.

No reason for suspicion

Purushottam’s colleagues said that he was ‘an excellent faculty member’ and was involved in no activities that drew suspicion. While condemning the alleged murders they added that the professor was always punctual at work as well as maintained a healthy relationship with all staff at the college. 

The crime has instilled shock and fear among the female students in the college. “He always seemed like an approachable person for students. Never did we think that he would commit such a crime. His interactions with people were always professional, and I never heard him discuss religion with anyone,” one of the teachers said.

A faculty member said, “Looking back, the fact that he was interacting with so many female students gives me the chills.” However, the faculty assured that the accused professor of Chemistry never tried to induct students into the cult. Also, his daughters used to visit the college.

Andhra Pradesh police and the college are interacting with the students to check if the professor had ever tried to entice them into following his alleged religious practices.