Amaravati: The Guntur district POCSO court in-charge judge, K. Nilima, dismissed the charges in the high-profile Rishiteshwari case on Friday, citing the prosecution’s failure to substantiate the allegations with evidence.
The case dates back to 2015 when Rishiteshwari, an architecture student at Acharya Nagarjuna University, Pedakakani Mandal, tragically ended her life following alleged harassment by senior students. According to the prosecution, fourth-year students Darawat Jaicharan Nayak and Navra Srinivas, along with second-year student Dumpa Anisha Nagasailakshmi, harassed her after she rejected their advances. The harassment reportedly escalated during a Fresher’s Day celebration on May 18, 2015, leading Rishiteshwari to report the issue to the college principal, Baburao, who allegedly ignored her plea.
On July 14, 2015, Rishiteshwari was found hanging in her hostel room, prompting her father to file a police complaint holding the principal and students responsible. However, Judge Nilima ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond ragging.
The incident sparked political uproar, with opposition YSRCP leaders staging protests and alleging mismanagement by the then TDP government.
Rishiteshwari’s mother, Durgabai, expressed her disappointment, saying she may consider appealing the verdict in the High Court.
