Father Kills Daughter to Circumvent Two-Child Rule for Maharashtra Panchayat Elections

Hyderabad/Nanded: In a chilling case that has shocked both Telangana and Maharashtra, a father allegedly killed his six-year-old daughter to pursue political ambitions. The man, who has three children, wanted to contest the upcoming Maharashtra Panchayat elections. Under the state’s law, candidates with more than two children are disqualified from contesting.

The Crime
Pandurang Kondamangale, a resident of Kerur village in Nanded, was arrested on Monday. He is accused of drowning his daughter Prachi in the Nizamsagar Canal on January 29. Prachi was one of his twin daughters; later, he had a son. Authorities allege that Kondamangale, seeking to meet his political aspirations, planned and executed the murder. Ganesh Shinde, the current Sarpanch of Kerur, was also arrested for allegedly aiding Kondamangale in planning the crime.

How the Police Traced the Victim
Prachi’s body was found in a severely decomposed state in Nizamsagar Canal. The Bodhan Rural Police began investigations, publishing notices in newspapers and social media to identify the girl. One constable uploaded the photograph of the body on his WhatsApp status, seeking public help. Within hours, police from Mukhed Taluka in Maharashtra confirmed the identity as Prachi, daughter of Kondamangale, who had been reported missing days earlier. Kondamangale had feigned grief over her disappearance.

Mobile Tower Location Leads to Arrest
During questioning, police became suspicious and tracked Kondamangale’s mobile tower location, revealing that he had taken Prachi to Telangana. Faced with the evidence, he allegedly confessed to the crime.

Political Ambition and Failed Adoption Attempt
Officials allege that Ganesh Shinde had encouraged Kondamangale to contest the Panchayat elections, scheduled six months later. Realizing that Kondamangale would be ineligible due to having three children, the two initially tried to give Prachi up for adoption, approaching individuals and orphanages. When the adoption plan failed, they allegedly conspired to kill the girl. On January 29, Kondamangale took Prachi to Nizamsagar Canal, drowned her, returned home, and pretended to be devastated along with his wife when the girl was reported missing.

The case has sparked outrage across both states, highlighting the deadly intersection of political ambition and familial tragedy under rigid election laws.