Police have taken Sana Ullah Khan, 40, a native of Bihar, into custody for questioning in connection with the case. According to police, Khan had been watching the woman's movements and allegedly entered her room after midnight when she was alone.

Police suspect accused entered room through window

The woman, who was from Kothagudem district, had been working as a nurse at Prime Care Hospital in Tukkuguda for seven months. She lived in a room constructed near the hospital for staff.

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Khan had come to the city in search of work and worked as a bike mechanic in Uppal. He later returned to Bihar and came back to the city two months ago. He was staying in a rented room in Tukkuguda and working as a bike mechanic.

Police said Khan had noticed the nurse living nearby and had allegedly tried several times to enter her room. On Friday night, after completing her duty, the woman returned to her room.

Khan, who police said was under the influence of alcohol, allegedly went to her room after midnight after noticing that she was alone. As the door was locked, he allegedly entered through a window.

The woman woke up after hearing a noise and raised an alarm on seeing Khan. Police said he tried to rape her and covered her mouth when she resisted. He allegedly strangled her until she became unconscious and then raped her.

Police said Khan fled after believing that she had died.

Hospital staff alert police after nurse fails to report

The nurse was expected to report for duty at 9am on Saturday. When she did not turn up, hospital staff called her phone. People staying in the adjoining room also tried to contact her but received no response.

The staff informed her aunt, who was staying in Maheshwaram. Her cousin also repeatedly called her phone, but there was no response.

Hospital staff went to her room in the afternoon and found the doors locked. They entered through a window and found the nurse lying motionless inside before informing police.

Shamshabad Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh, Pahadi Shareef inspector Lakshminarayana Reddy and clues team personnel inspected the scene. The body was shifted to Osmania Hospital.

Police registered a case at Pahadi Shareef police station and launched an investigation. Khan was taken into custody while he was allegedly preparing to flee, according to the report.

The victim's family members and BJP leaders staged a protest at the Osmania Hospital mortuary on Sunday evening. BJP Maheshwaram constituency in-charge Andela Sriramulu demanded that the accused be hanged.

Tension briefly prevailed during the protest. Police provided security while a postmortem examination was conducted. The body was later handed over to the family.

Seethakka seeks detailed probe, early justice

Minister D Anasuya Seethakka expressed shock over the killing on Sunday. She said the incident had deeply disturbed her and sought details from local police officials.

She spoke to Director General of Police C V Anand over the phone and asked him to ensure a comprehensive investigation. She also directed officials to take steps to ensure speedy justice for the victim's family.

Seethakka said the government would stand by the victim's family.