Despite Supreme Court directives and associated warnings, cases of murder, sexual violence, and harassment continue in the state of Andhra Pradesh, sparking a new debate on women's protection and police effectiveness.
The opposition party YSRCP accuses the coalition government led by TDP of failing to ensure women's safety. However, the government asserts that the number of registered crimes has decreased and that new security measures have been implemented.
Recent incidents, including instances of violence against women and girls in Vijayawada, Ongole, Railway Kodure, and other parts of the state, have drawn attention. These cases are at various stages of investigation, and charges against suspects are being considered according to due legal procedure.
On October 4th in New Rajarajeswaripet, Vijayawada, a 22-year-old man killed a 19-year-old girl, Mahalakshmi, following a conflict. The police reported that the suspect stabbed her and then committed suicide by jumping from an adjacent building. According to police reports based on information, the girl had distanced herself from him after disagreements.
In another case in the Ongole area, two minor girls were taken to the residence of a former employee from the BC Kalyan hostel. The police registered a case and began investigating the circumstances of the girls' removal from the hostel. The Andhra Pradesh Commission for Protection of Child Rights requested a report from the district authorities and stated its intention to investigate the incident.
According to the report, one suspect was arrested under the POCSO Act. Other registered cases include the rape of a 10-year-old girl in Railway Kodure, an assault on a woman in the VAMBAY colony of Vijayawada, and a complaint of harassment during a trip with a female inspector's family. The investigation and judicial decisions for these cases are yet to come.
Questions have also been raised about the delay in action regarding a girl's murder complaint in Ankapalli. Other reports concern sexual violence in Hindupur and assaults on women in the constituency of Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita. These events have prompted demands for a deeper examination of the police response, investigations, and victim support.
On September 20th, a woman in Malavaram accused Jana Sena leader of indecent behavior, insults, and threats. These allegations are currently under investigation and judicial review. These recent incidents have become a political issue, as YSRCP claims they demonstrate the government's shortcomings in handling women's safety. Nevertheless, crime statistics published by the police present a mixed picture.
According to data presented by the Andhra Pradesh Chief of Police, Harish Kumar Gupta, crimes against women decreased from 16,994 in 2024 to 16,347 in 2025, representing an approximate 3.8% reduction. Over the same period, POCSO cases decreased from 2,120 to 1,879. The police also reported 510 convictions in cases of crimes against women and POCSO cases in 2025. The government has also introduced several new measures to ensure women's safety.
The Andhra Pradesh Police operate the 'SHAKTHI' system for the protection of women and children, which provides SOS support services, complaint reporting, trip tracking, and others. The police state that SOS calls are forwarded to the nearest police stations for rapid response. The government compares these measures to the previous 'Disha' system.
In 2025, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita announced the creation of a new unit for the protection of women and children and a safety application, stating that the government adheres to a 'zero tolerance' policy towards crimes against women. However, the opposition criticized this move, calling it an attempt to alter or weaken the Disha system.
YSRCP representative Nagammaleswari accused the TDP-led coalition government of being incapable of providing adequate protection to women and children. She described the coalition's rule as detrimental to women's safety. She questioned whether the government had taken sufficient steps to ensure justice for victims.
She cited statistics: 16,347 crimes against women and 1,879 POCSO cases registered in 2025. Nagammaleswari also demanded that Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita explain the government's track record in prosecuting criminals. She also criticized Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Minister Pawan Kalyan, and Minister Nara Lokesh. She argued that the government is focused on propaganda while victims' families await help.
Nagammaleswari also questioned the effectiveness of the government's new initiatives for women's safety compared to the Disha system. She called for greater accountability from the police and the government. These opposition statements are political allegations and should be viewed separately from basic crime data. The YSRCP cited police data for 2025 shows a decrease in both crimes against women and POCSO cases compared to 2024. The government maintains that women's safety remains its priority, highlighting the decline in crime, the rate of punishment, and new police measures.