New Delhi, Feb 17: The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered its final verdict in the sensational death case of Telugu actress Prathyusha, which created a stir in the states two decades ago. The petition filed by accused Gudipalli Siddharth Reddy challenging the jail sentence imposed by the High Court was dismissed. Upholding the punishment confirmed by the High Court, the Supreme Court directed Siddharth Reddy to surrender within four weeks.
Prathyusha and Siddharth Reddy fell in love while studying Intermediate in Hyderabad. After completing Intermediate, Prathyusha entered films while Siddharth pursued engineering. On February 23, 2002, between 7:30 and 8 p.m., both consumed poison and were admitted to a private hospital. Prathyusha died on February 24, while Siddharth was discharged on March 9 after treatment. Tests revealed that they had mixed pesticide in a soft drink. A medical team appointed by the state government reported that Prathyusha’s death was due to organophosphate poisoning, and there was no evidence of suffocation or sexual assault before death.
Based on this, the CBI filed charges under Sections 306 (abetment of suicide) and 309 (attempt to commit suicide) against Siddharth Reddy. In 2004, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Sessions Judge sentenced him to five years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹5,000. On appeal, the High Court reduced the sentence to two years but increased the fine to ₹50,000 in December 2011.
Both Siddharth Reddy and Prathyusha’s mother Sarojini Devi filed appeals in the Supreme Court in 2012. After reserving judgment recently, the apex court has now ordered Siddharth Reddy to surrender.
