Hyderabad, Dec 06, TEN Network |  The four accused in the rape and murder of a 26-year-old veterinarian in Hyderabad were killed by the police in the early hours of Friday at the spot where the victim’s charred body had earlier been found.

According to sources, the four men – Mohammad Arif, J Naveen, J Shiva and Ch Chennakesavulu – died when the police, in “an act of self-defence” opened fire at them after they wrested weapons and tried to open fire and flee at Chatanapalli in Shadnagar.

Initial information suggests that they were taken to the place to recreate the crime scene on Thursday night. They were shot dead by Telangana police personnel when they allegedly tried to escape from there. The four accused had been remanded to police custody by a Shadnagar court for seven days, only yesterday.

“The accused were killed in a Police encounter at Chatanpally, Shadnagar today in the wee hours, between 3 am and 6 am. I have reached the spot and further details will be revealed, police Commissioner VC Sajjanar told the media.

Responding to the incident, the victim’s father said his daughter’s soul “must be at peace now.” “It has been 10 days to the day my daughter died. I express my gratitude towards the police & govt for this,” he said.

All the four were arrested on charges of gang-raping and murdering the victim less than 24 hours after the crime. It was widely believed that only circumstantial evidence was available.

According to police, the victim was trapped and killed by the four accused after one of the tyres of her scooter has been deflated when she had reached the toll gate to pick up her parked vehicle to return home. They then carried the body of the victim to a place 28 km away from Shadnagar town and set it on fire. Only her charred remains were found. (NIE)