A Panchayat Raj Department Assistant Engineer, his wife and their daughter are missing in the Godavari, and the daughter’s 10-year-old son has been rescued, after the family reportedly jumped from the road-cum-rail bridge in Rajamahendravaram city at around 11.30 p.m. on Sunday (August 16, 2026). The three missing are K. Nooka Raju, his wife, Meena, and their daughter, Sowjanya. The family had driven to the bridge in their car.
Mr. Nooka Raju, of Ashok Nagar in Kakinada, is posted in Pithapuram mandal of Kakinada district.
A note dated August 16, said to have been left by Mr. Nooka Raju, alleges that Sk. Sadhik Khan of Kakinada, who runs the PRO Rifle Shooting Academy, had been harassing Ms. Sowjanya since the death of her husband in February 2026. The note is addressed to the Kakinada District Collector and Superintendent of Police, and The Hindu has a copy.
In it, Mr. Nooka Raju alleges: “Mr. Sadhik has been running after my daughter, promising to take care of her. He has threatened to eliminate my grandson and me when we rejected his proposal. He has taken our bank accounts (books) and valuable things into his possession by threatening us.”
“Our family had decided to end our lives as we are unable to face the atrocity against my daughter and unable to face the threats from Mr. Sadhik Khan,” the note reads.
The note will be sent to a forensic laboratory, South Division DSP A. Siva Priya told The Hindu. “The investigation is on,” she said.
Rescue
The incident came to light after a man crossing the bridge by road alerted the police through the Dial 112 service at 11.32 p.m.
On being contacted by the II Town police, fisherfolk from the island in the river ventured into the water and rescued the boy, who is being treated in a hospital and is out of danger.
“We have deployed traditional fisherfolk to trace the three, Mr. Nooka Raju, Ms. Meena and Ms. Sowjanya. The search is on,” II Town Circle Inspector P. Siva Ganesh told The Hindu.
Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts can call the Rajamahendravaram city police helpline at 70757-49825, or Tele-MANAS at 14416.
Published - August 17, 2026 11:57 am IST