In Shabad, close to Hyderabad, a man murders six people, including two toddlers and a 17-year-old female.

Six persons, including a 17-year-old girl, her mother, grandmother, his wife, and two babies, were reportedly killed early on Saturday in the Shabad mandal of the Ranga Reddy district by a man sought in a POCSO case. Following the suspect's escape, police have started a manhunt.

Hyderabad: Six people, including a 17-year-old girl, a lady, and two babies, were reportedly killed by a man in Shabad mandal of Ranga Reddy district early on Saturday in one of the most horrific murders documented here in recent years.

According to the police, a POCSO case filed against the suspect earlier this year was connected to the deaths.

Raj Kumar, a resident of Daivalaguda village in Shabad mandal, was detained in May, according to the police, following a complaint from a 17-year-old girl who said he had been harassing her.

On May 16, police filed a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act based on the complaint. Later on, he was freed on bond.

According to the police, the man reportedly broke into the girl's home early on Saturday and assaulted family members. He reportedly sexually abused and killed the little girl after taking her to a nearby agricultural area, according to investigators.

He then reportedly murdered her grandmother, Chityala Rukkamma (65), and mother, Chityala Lakshmi (45). The suspect is accused of killing his wife, Parvathi Saritha (30), and their two children, Parikshit (3) and Daivikshit (2), at their home in a different event shortly after.

It is still unknown why his family members were killed. After the killings, the suspect allegedly contacted his parents and confessed to killing six individuals at two different places before declaring his intention to commit suicide, according to the police.

His parents called the police right away. The culprit had left by the time police teams arrived at the crime places.

A case has been filed, and the remains were moved for post-mortem examination. To find the fugitive suspect, police have started a search.

Future City Commissioner Tarun Joshi and several senior police officers were present at the spot. Additional research is being conducted.