Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 24 December 2024
The brutal murder of Nisha Rani, a 36-year-old resident of Brichgunj in Sri Vijaya Puram, has shocked the residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. On the evening of 21 December 2024, in the late hours, Nisha was attacked near the main gate of her house. She had parked her car in a roadside shed and was walking the short distance to her home when she was fatally assaulted. Suffering severe injuries to her hand and head, she died on the spot.
The case took a dramatic turn when images of four suspects believed to be involved in the crime began circulating on social media on 22 December 2024. The accompanying message with the images appealed to the public for information on whereabouts of the suspects, who were described as primarily Tamil speakers and natives of Tamil Nadu. Speculation quickly arose that the suspects had traveled from Tamil Nadu specifically to carry out the murder.
Despite an initial unsuccessful search on 22 December, the police made significant progress the following day. On 23 December, two suspects were apprehended in the Brichgunj area. These individuals had fled the crime scene on foot, abandoning their hired scooter at the site. The investigation revealed that the suspects had come to Brichgunj on rented scooters to commit the murder. While two suspects managed to escape on their scooters, the others fled into the nearby jungle.
By evening, the remaining two suspects were arrested in the Calicut area of South Andaman. With all four individuals from the circulated photographs now in custody, the investigation would soon reveal the motive behind the murder.
The names of the four arrested accused are Rahun Prashant, Naveen, Laxmanan & Abhishek.
Many sources suggest that the suspects may be contract killers hired to target Nisha Rani. Sources also informed that the police are exploring the possibility of more individuals being involved in planning or facilitating the crime. Efforts are underway to identify and track others who may have provided logistical or other support.
A new photograph of a potential suspect has emerged, but sources have provided little information about the individual.
On 23 December, Nisha’s grief-stricken mother addressed the media at her home, calling for justice for her daughter. She alleged that Nisha’s in-laws could be behind the murder. According to her, Nisha had recently received a call from an advocate urging her to withdraw a case she had filed. Nisha had reportedly refused, stating that she had been badly assaulted.
Nisha’s mother also mentioned an accident involving a scooter and Nisha’s stationary car, though she was unable to recall the exact details. She appeared too distressed to answer questions in depth, and the media respected her emotional state.
The police are continuing their investigation and the residents of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are confident that the full truth behind the murder will soon be uncovered.