New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea challenging the conviction of a man in connection with the 2002 death of Telugu actress Pratyusha and directed him to surrender within four weeks.
A bench comprising Justices Rajesh Bindal and Manmohan ruled out allegations of strangulation and rape in the case, observing that medical and ocular evidence clearly established death due to poisoning.
“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. At the belated stage, it is difficult to allege that the cause of death was rape and strangulation,” the bench said.
The court also dismissed a plea filed by P. Sarojini Devi, Pratyusha’s mother, who had alleged foul play in her daughter’s death.
Pratyusha died in Hyderabad on February 24, 2002. According to the prosecution’s case, she and G. Siddhartha Reddy had been in a relationship for six years. While the relationship was reportedly accepted by Pratyusha’s mother, it was opposed by Reddy’s mother, leading the couple to allegedly attempt suicide.
On February 23, 2002, the two reportedly purchased a bottle of pesticide, mixed it with a soft drink, and consumed it. However, they later changed their minds and drove to Care Hospital in Hyderabad, with Reddy at the wheel. Despite medical treatment, Pratyusha died, while Reddy survived.
In 2004, the trial court convicted Reddy of abetment of suicide and sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5,000. He was also awarded an additional one-year sentence and fined Rs 1,000 for attempting suicide.
In 2011, the Andhra Pradesh High Court reduced his sentence from five years to two years. With the Supreme Court now dismissing the plea challenging his conviction, Reddy has been directed to surrender within four weeks.
