Supreme court dismisses Siddharth Reddy plea in Pratyusha case, orders surrender
HYDERABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea filed by Gudipalli Siddharth Reddy, who had challenged his conviction for abetment of suicide in the 2002 death of Telugu actress Pratyusha. The court directed him to surrender within four weeks.
A bench comprising Justices Rajesh Bindal and Manmohan pronounced the judgment. The bench also dismissed the plea filed by Pratyusha’s mother, Sarojini Devi, who had alleged that her daughter’s death was due to murder.
The court ruled out murder by strangulation and held that the evidence established death due to poisoning.
Court findings on cause of death
Pronouncing the verdict, the bench observed: “One is, murder by strangulation is ruled out. Two, overwhelming ocular and medical evidence proves death due to poisoning. Three, the offence of rape against the appellant accused is not made out. Four, at the belated stage, it is difficult to allege that the cause of death was rape and strangulation. defence of accidental consumption rejected. Abetment by purchase of neurontone established.”
The court further noted: “Five, Dr Muni Swamy had furnished an unprofessional postmortem report. Six, consequences of premature and deliberate publication of the report.”
Rejecting the allegation of rape, the bench said that a surviving partner in a mutual suicide pact is legally culpable. “Conclusion is, due to the above reasons, the present appeal on merits is dismissed subject to the no order as to the cost. The appellant is directed to surrender within four weeks,” it said.
Background of 23 year old case
According to the case records, Pratyusha and Reddy were in a relationship that was opposed by his parents. It was alleged that both consumed poison together, but Reddy survived.
He was later convicted on charges of abetment of suicide and attempt to suicide. A trial court sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment. The Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2004 reduced the sentence to two years while enhancing the fine.
Reddy approached the Supreme Court challenging his conviction for abetment of suicide. Pratyusha’s mother also moved the apex court, contesting the reduction of the sentence and alleging that her daughter was raped and poisoned.
During the hearing, Reddy was granted bail. The court also called for the postmortem report of Dr B Muni Swamy, who had opined that the actress died due to strangulation. However, he was not examined during the trial.
With Tuesday’s judgment, the apex court has brought the prolonged litigation to a close, affirming the finding of abetment of suicide and rejecting allegations of rape and murder.
