Overview
- Jayanthi Lalitha Devi, 30, was taken into custody at Pendurthi Police Station on November 8 after surrendering, a day after her mother-in-law Jayanti Kanaka Mahalakshmi, 63, died of burn injuries in Appannapalem.
- Police allege she enticed the victim into a “police and thief” game, blindfolded and tied her to a chair, poured petrol on her and set her on fire.
- FIR No. 495/2025 was registered under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Pendurthi Police Station, and Inspector K.V. Satish Kumar is leading the investigation.
- The victim’s eight-year-old granddaughter sustained burns while trying to help and is receiving treatment at a private hospital near Venkojipalem.
- Investigators say Devi bought petrol the previous evening at a Gosala Junction fuel station and initially told her husband the burns were from a television short circuit, and she is to be produced in court for remand.