Gouru Venkat Reddy

KURNOOL: The family of Nandikotkur MLA Gouru Charita Reddy went into shock on Wednesday on hearing the Supreme Court's landmark judgment setting aside the pardon granted by the then Governor of Andhra Pradesh Sushil Kumar Shinde 14 months ago to her husband Gouru Venkat Reddy, a convict in a murder case.

Mr. Venkat Reddy and seven others were convicted for life for the murder of E. Chinaramasubbaiah and L. Ambi Reddy by the sessions court in 2002. The twin murders took place on September 19 in 1995 at Bollavaram near Nandikotkur. Mr. Venkat Reddy and 16 others were named as accused in the murder and eight of them, including him, were convicted.

Set free

The sentence was subsequently upheld by the High Court while the Supreme Court reduced it to 10 years. Mr. Venkat Reddy was set free on August 11 in 2005 after the Governor granted pardon.

Ms. Charita Reddy, who was with her husband at Brahmanakotkur near Nandikotkur when the judgement was flashed on television channels, burst into tears and refused to meet visitors. Mr. Venkat Reddy took the judgement in his stride and spent time with his supporters.

Talking to The Hindu , Reddy (40) pleaded time to go through the full judgment copy before reacting to the judgement but added that the court had given him an option to make a fresh appeal. He said he had led a peaceful life in the last 14 months outside the prison.

When Ms. Charita Reddy fought the election in 2004, the imprisonment of her husband generated a sympathy wave for her. Soon after the Congress Government came to power, a serious move was made for his release. When Mr. Venkat Reddy was freed last year, he had completed a term of four years and 11 months.

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