The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Confirmation of death sentence sought

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 06, 2007
ePaper


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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Confirmation of death sentence sought

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Monday commenced regular hearings on the death sentence passed on psychopathic killer Umesh Reddy.

A Division Bench comprising Justice N.S. Veerabhadraiah and Justice Jawad Rahim began hearing both the reference by a lower court and appeal by Reddy against the death sentence.

On October 27, the VII Fast Track Court sentenced Reddy to death for raping and murdering Jayashree (37) in Peenya police station limits on February 28, 1998.

Awarding the capital punishment to Reddy, the fast track court said the rape and murder came under the category of the "rarest of rare" cases.

During the trial, Reddy pleaded for his release, saying he had spent 13 years in prison and that he was willing to lead a civilised life. He said he was pursuing an undergraduate course and was learning computers. He said his father had passed away and mother was ill.

The fast track court based its verdict on the evidence of Jayashree's eight-year-old son, who was an eyewitness to Reddy's assault on his mother and the subsequent heinous acts.

Reddy, a native of Basappamalige in Hiriyur taluk of Chitradurga district, was a police constable. He studied up to PUC and was appointed as constable with the District Armed Reserve of Chitradurga in 1996.

His criminal history started in November/December, 1996, when he attempted to rape a girl, who was walking in KEB Colony in Chitradurga.

The victim identified him by chance when he was participating in a police parade, following which a case was registered against him. This later led to his dismissal from service. The same month, he allegedly raped and murdered Roopa, also from KEB Colony in Chitradurga.

Though the police nabbed him several times, he managed to escape from the police five times. The Yeshwanthpur police after being tipped off by an autorickshaw driver finally caught him on May 17, 2002. In all, Reddy had 19 cases against him.

State Public Prosecutor S. Dore Raju, who is appearing for the State, has sought confirmation of the death sentence.

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Karnataka