Hyderabad: On June 27, 2025, Swetcha Votarkar, a 35-year-old senior journalist and news presenter of a Telugu news channel, was found dead at her residence in Jawahar Nagar, Chikkadpally,Hyderabad. Initial reports suggest she died by suicide, as she was found hanging in her bedroom, which was locked from the inside. However, the circumstances surrounding her death have raised suspicions, and police have registered a case of suspicious death pending further investigation.
Swetcha, whose name means “freedom” in Telugu, was a respected figure in Telugu journalism with an 18-year career, having worked with prominent channels like TV9 and T News. Known for her fearless reporting and activism, particularly in Telangana-related issues, she was influenced by her father, a staunch communist, and was actively involved in the Journalist Housing Society, recently winning an executive committee position. She lived with her mother, Sreedevi, her school-going daughter, and reportedly a partner, following her divorce.
The incident came to light when Swetcha’s daughter returned home from school and found the bedroom door locked. Neighbors broke open the door and discovered Swetcha unconscious. Paramedics confirmed her death, and her body was sent to Gandhi Hospital for a post-mortem, expected to provide clarity on the cause of death. While initial police reports lean toward suicide, possibly linked to personal issues, some sources note inconsistencies, such as the positioning of her body, raising questions about potential foul play.
