Daijiworld Media Network - Hanumakonda

Hanumakonda, Apr 3: A 26-year-old pregnant woman and her two young daughters were found dead in a swimming pool in Punnela of Telangana’s Hanumakonda district, triggering shock and suspicion among locals.

The deceased have been identified as Farhat (26), who was pregnant with her third child, and her daughters Umera (8) and Ayesha (6). The family operated a swimming pool facility near the Warangal–Khammam highway.

According to preliminary reports, the family had gone to the pool on Wednesday night as part of their routine, when the woman and her children reportedly fell into the water. Despite rescue attempts by family members and locals, all three were declared dead.

The bodies were shifted to a nearby hospital for post-mortem, while police launched an investigation.

Farhat’s husband, Mohammad Azharuddin, initially claimed the deaths were accidental. However, relatives raised serious allegations of foul play, citing ongoing domestic disputes.

The victim’s father accused Azharuddin of murdering his daughter and grandchildren and attempting to pass it off as an accident. Police have since registered a murder case and are probing all angles.

Investigators suspect a possible motive linked to the accused’s alleged obsession with having a male child. Sources indicated that tensions had escalated over Farhat’s pregnancy, with allegations that she had earlier been pressured to terminate pregnancies over fears of female foetuses.

Police are also examining whether the visit to the pool was planned as a pretext for the crime. Authorities said violations related to illegal sex determination and forced abortions are also being probed.

The incident has created tension in the village, with heavy police presence deployed to maintain order as grieving relatives gathered at the victims’ residence.

Further clarity is expected after forensic reports and detailed questioning of the accused.