Woman APEPDCL engineer found dead on road near Rajam; family says it was no accident

A 30‑year‑old assistant engineer with the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Board (APEPDCL) was found dead on a highway near the town of Rajam on Thursday, prompting a police investigation that has been described by her relatives as anything but a simple accident. The woman, identified as Priya Reddy, had been employed by the state electricity board for three years, working on projects that included the maintenance of high‑tension lines and the implementation of rural electrification schemes. Her body was discovered by a passerby at approximately 02:30 a.m..

near the junction of National Highway 16 and a local access road, a stretch that is routinely used by commuters and freight traffic.According to the initial police report, the scene showed signs of a violent impact: the victim’s vehicle, a white Maruti Alto, was found on its side with extensive damage to the front bumper and the driver’s side door. The car’s airbags had deployed, and the surrounding area contained fragments of glass and a broken headlight. However, members of Priya’s family, who arrived at the site shortly after the police cordoned off the area, have raised questions about the official narrative, insisting that the circumstances surrounding her death point to foul play rather than a mere traffic collision.Priya’s brother, Suresh Reddy, told reporters that his sister had been in good health and had not expressed any concerns about her safety in the days leading up to the incident..

“She was a dedicated engineer, always focused on her work. There is nothing in her personal or professional life that would suggest she was at risk,” he said, his voice steady but edged with grief. “When we saw the condition of the car and the way she was found, it did not look like a simple accident..

We have asked the police to treat this as a potential homicide and to investigate all possible angles.”The police have opened a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code that deal with death by negligence and culpable homicide not amounting to murder, pending further forensic analysis. Forensic teams were dispatched to the site within hours of the discovery, and samples of blood, hair and other trace evidence have been collected from both the vehicle and the surrounding road. The police have also secured the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system to retrieve data that could indicate speed, braking patterns and any possible mechanical failures that might have contributed to the crash.Local authorities have indicated that the stretch of road where the incident occurred has a history of accidents, often attributed to poor lighting and inadequate signage..

The National Highway Authority of India has previously earmarked the area for upgrades, citing a rise in traffic volume over the past decade. Nonetheless, residents of Rajam have expressed frustration that the promised improvements have not materialised, and some have suggested that the lack of proper safety measures could have been a factor in Priya’s death.In addition to the physical evidence, investigators are reviewing Priya’s recent work assignments. According to a senior official at APEPDCL, Priya had been involved in a project to upgrade a sub‑station near the district’s industrial corridor, a task that required coordination with several private contractors and occasional field visits to remote locations..

“She was a competent engineer, respected by her peers,” the official said. “There is no indication from her professional record of any disputes or threats.” However, the official declined to provide further details, citing confidentiality concerns.Friends and colleagues of Priya have taken to social media to share memories and express their condolences, while also calling for a transparent investigation. A petition on a popular online platform, signed by more than 2,000 people, urges the state government to ensure that the case is handled with utmost rigor and that any systemic issues contributing to the incident are addressed..

The petition highlights concerns about the safety of female employees working in infrastructure projects, a sector where women remain under‑represented and often face unique challenges.Human rights groups have weighed in, noting that incidents involving women employees in the public sector sometimes go under‑investigated, particularly when they occur in remote or less‑monitored areas. “A thorough, impartial inquiry is essential not only for justice for Priya’s family but also to reaffirm the state’s commitment to the safety of its workforce,” said a spokesperson for the Centre for Gender Equality. The group called for an independent forensic audit and for the police to expedite the collection of CCTV footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras, if any exist.The investigation is expected to take several weeks, during which the police will conduct interviews with Priya’s family, coworkers, and any potential eyewitnesses who may have been travelling on the highway that night..

Authorities have also requested assistance from the state’s transport department to review vehicle registration records, looking for any anomalies that could suggest tampering or a second vehicle’s involvement. Meanwhile, the APEPDCL has offered counseling services to employees affected by the incident and has pledged to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies.As the community awaits further findings, the case has sparked broader debate about road safety, workplace protection for women, and the accountability mechanisms within public utilities. While the official cause of death remains pending, the convergence of forensic evidence, family testimony and systemic concerns will likely shape the narrative that emerges from the ongoing probe..

For now, Priya’s family continues to seek answers, hoping that the inquiry will uncover the truth behind a tragic loss that has reverberated far beyond the quiet stretch of highway where her life ended..