The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : HC reserves verdict on Umesh Reddy

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Saturday, Jan 26, 2008
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Karnataka

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HC reserves verdict on Umesh Reddy

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Friday reserved for orders the sensational Umesh Reddy death sentence case.

The case had come up before the High Court for reference and appeal. On October 3, a Division Bench of the High Court had handed over a split verdict on a lower court order sentencing Umesh Reddy to death. While one judge confirmed the death sentence, another had said Reddy should be in prison for life. Subsequently, the case had been posted before a third judge for final opinion.

Case

Reddy, a former police constable, is accused in the rape and brutal murder, on February 28, 2007, of Jayashree (37), a widow living in an apartment in Dasarahalli, Peenya. The 7th Fast Track Court (FTC), Bangalore, had on October 27, 2006, awarded capital punishment to Reddy. The FTC had held that the rape and murder came under the category of the “rarest of rare” cases. The lower court had based its verdict on the evidence of Jayashree’s eight-year-old son.

Reddy is a native of Basappamalige in Hiriyur taluk of Chitradurga district. He was initially employed as a police constable. He had studied till pre-university and was appointed a constable with the District Armed Reserve of Chitradurga in 1996.

His criminal history began in November 1996, when he allegedly 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. He was later dismissed from service.

The same month, he allegedly raped and murdered Roopa, also from KEB Colony in Chitradurga. Contesting the lower court verdict, Reddy had said there is no conclusive proof that he was involved in the rape and murder of Jayashree. He urged the court to set aside the death sentence and also acquit him.

He said his name did not figure in the first information report or the inquest proceedings. State Public Prosecutor, C.H. Jadhavsaid a few inconsistencies in statements could not absolve Reddy of his complicity in the murder and rape of Jayashree.

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