Actress Prathyusha's Death : Supreme Court Rules Out Murder; Convicts Siddhartha Reddy For Abetment Of Suicide

The Supreme Court today dismissed the plea filed by Gudipalli Siddhartha Reddy, who challenged his conviction on the charge of abetment to suicide in 23 years old case of the suicide of Telugu/Tamil actress Prathyushya.

A bench comprising Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Manmohan pronounced the judgment. The bench also dimissed the plea by Prathyushya's mother Sarojini Devi who alleged that death was due to murder.

It ruled out murder by strangulation and observed that the overwhelming ocular and medical evidence proves death due to poisoning.

"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...defense of accidental consumption rejected. Abetment by purchase of neurontone established," the bench pronounced.

As per the brief facts, Prathyushya and Reddy were in a relationship which was opposed by the latter's parents. It was the case that they consumed poison together, but Reddy survived. Later, he was convicted on charges of abetment to suicide and attempt to suicide. He was sentenced to five years of imprisonment, which was later reduced to two years by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2004.

Challenging his conviction on the charge of abetment to suicide, he approached the Supreme Court. Prathyushya's mother also approached the Supreme Court, challenging the reduction of the sentence to Reddy. She alleged that her daughter was raped and poisoned. During the hearing, the appellant was granted bail. The Court had also called for the postmortem report of Dr B Muni Swamy, who had expressed that the death of the actress was caused due to strangulation. However, Dr Muni Swamy was not examined during the course of the trial.

"Five, Dr Muni Swamy had furnished an unprofessional postmortem report. Six, consequences of premature and deliberate publication of the report."

However, the Court rejected the allegation of rape.

"...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."

Case Details: GUDIPALLI SIDDHARTHA REDDY v STATE C.B.I.|Crl.A. No. 457/2012 and P SAROJINI DEVI v.CBI |Crl A 894-895/2012