Andhra family of four jumps into Godavari River; leaves behind suicide note
Andhra Family of Four Jumps into Godavari River at Rajamahendravaram, Leaving Suicide Note Behind
Indiadailyupdate.com – An Andhra family of four jumps into the Godavari River in Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, in what investigators are treating as a coordinated suicide attempt. The group consisted of 61-year-old Nukaraju, his 59-year-old wife Meena, his 34-year-old daughter Soujanya, and Nukaraju's 10-year-old grandson. Only the young boy survived; local fishermen spotted him swimming in the current and pulled him to shore before rushing him to hospital. The other three members had not been recovered as of the latest available reports, and their whereabouts remained unknown.
Rescue Effort and Police Response
Rajamahendravaram town police reached the riverbank quickly after receiving word of the incident. A large-scale search operation was launched within hours, drawing in SDRF teams, fire brigade crews, and professional divers tasked with combing the river for the three missing individuals. The scale of the operation reflected both the urgency of the situation and the difficulty of locating bodies in the Godavari's strong current during the monsoon season. Authorities urged residents along the riverbank to report any sightings and to keep clear of the search zone so crews could work without obstruction.
The family had driven from their home near Nagamalli Thota Junction in Kakinada. Their car driver was left behind at Kovvur, after which the four continued the journey to Rajamahendravaram independently. Their vehicle was later found parked on the Godavari Road-cum-Rail Bridge within the city limits, suggesting the group had arrived by road and walked the final stretch to the riverbank. Police are examining the vehicle and the route taken to establish a precise timeline of events.
The Suicide Note and Allegations of Harassment
Before entering the water, the family left behind a written note explaining their decision. Nukaraju had also shared the note in a group chat with friends and relatives prior to the jump, giving close contacts advance notice of what was about to happen. According to local media coverage, the document pointed to sustained harassment by a rifle-shooting organiser identified as Sheikh Shadi Khan.
The note alleged that Khan had been pressuring Soujanya since the death of her husband in July, and that both she and her young son faced a direct threat to their lives from him. It further claimed that Khan, who had pledged assistance to the daughter, had instead taken control of their money, bank accounts, and personal valuables. The family had appealed to the district collector to take strict action against Khan.
Police have opened a formal investigation into both the incident itself and the specific allegations laid out in the note. Nukaraju was employed as an Assistant Engineer with the Panchayat Raj department in Pithapuram, a detail that may inform the scope and sensitivity of the inquiry. Investigators are expected to interview neighbours, colleagues, and anyone named in the note to verify or refute its claims.
FAQ
Where did the Andhra family of four jumps incident take place? The incident occurred at the Godavari River in Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh. The family's vehicle was subsequently found parked on the Godavari Road-cum-Rail Bridge inside the city limits.
How many family members were rescued? Only the 10-year-old grandson was rescued. Local fishermen spotted him in the water and brought him to shore, after which he was taken to hospital. The remaining three members had not been located as of the latest reports.
What did the suicide note allege? The note alleged sustained harassment by a rifle-shooting organiser named Sheikh Shadi Khan, including threats to the daughter and grandson and claims that Khan had taken control of the family's money, bank accounts, and valuables. The family had appealed to the district collector for intervention before the jump.
What is the current status of the investigation? Rajamahendravaram town police have opened a formal investigation into both the deaths and the allegations in the note. SDRF, fire brigade, and professional diving teams were deployed for the river search, and investigators are working to verify the claims made in the suicide note.