The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Hearing in Umesh Reddy case begins

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Hearing in Umesh Reddy case begins

Staff Reporter

Division Bench
of High Court had given split verdict on a lower
court order

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Friday commenced hearing on the sensational Umesh Reddy case.

Reddy, a former police constable, was sentenced to death by a Bangalore court for rape and murder of a housewife from Bangalore. The case had come up before the High Court for reference and appeal.

On October 3, a Division Bench of the High Court handed over a divided verdict on a lower court order sentencing Umesh Reddy to death. While one judge confirmed the death sentence, another said Reddy should be in prison for life.

With the Bench handing over a split verdict, the case had been posted before a third judge for final opinion.

Contesting the lower court verdict, Reddy said there was no conclusive proof that he was involved in the rape and murder . He said the prosecution case was full of inconsistencies and inaccuracies. He pointed to several shortcomings in the investigation and also the FTC verdict. He urged the court to set aside the death sentence and also acquit him.

When the matter came up on Friday before Justice S.R. Bannurmath, advocate R.B. Deshpande, who appeared for Reddy, said the third judge could come up with his own opinion and that he need not go by the opinions of the earlier Bench. He said if the third judge was convinced about Reddy’s innocence, he could be acquitted. He said he would like to take the court through some of the evidences in the case. State Public Prosecutor C.H. Jadhav said he had filed a list enumerating the cases in which Reddy was alleged to be involved.

Reddy had been brought to the High Court from Hindalga Jail in Belgaum following orders. He was present during the hearing. Mr. Justice Bannurmath adjourned further hearing on the case till January 11.

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