Date:21/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/21/stories/2005122124850400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Two youths accused of harassing woman attempt suicide

Staff Reporter

Fall unconscious on entering police station

HYDERABAD: Two youngsters -- Afsar and Srikanth -- who were accused of harassing a woman, attempted suicide by consuming poison three days ago.

"We don't know where the duo consumed poison. They walked into the police station apparently to surrender but fell unconscious soon," Panjaugtta ACP R. Gopala Raju told The Hindu . The police shifted them to the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences after booking an attempt-to-suicide case.

In guise of policemen

According to the ACP, the accused persons went to room no. 306 in SK lodge near the Panjagutta police station claiming themselves as policemen, forcibly took a woman staying with her husband to a secluded place in Erramanzil Colony and dropped her back at the lodge in the early hours of Saturday.

"The woman told us they did not sexually assault her but misbehaved with her," Mr. Raju said. During investigation the police learnt Srikanth and Afsar were behind the offence and called the latter's father to the police station. Later, the duo walked into the police station and dropped unconscious.

The ACP said a requisition was sent to record declaration of the youngsters by the Magistrate. However, the declaration was not recorded as their condition did not permit it.