Andhra Pradesh Murder Case: Supreme Court Partially Modifies Conviction

The case of Velthepu Srinivas and Others vs. State of Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana) revolves around a murder incident linked to political rivalry in the village of Janda Venkatpur, Asifabad, Telangana. The accused, A-1 to A-4, were convicted under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC for the murder of the deceased. The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of A-1, A-2, and A-4 but modified the conviction of A-3 to Section 304 Part II IPC, sentencing him to 10 years of imprisonment.

Background of the Case

The dispute stemmed from local Gram Panchayat elections where the sister of the deceased won against the wife of A-4. The loss led to animosity between the two families, culminating in the murder of the deceased.

The Incident

On November 15, 2001, the deceased was traveling in an auto-rickshaw with two co-passengers when A-1 stopped the vehicle and dragged the deceased out. A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4 then allegedly attacked the deceased using an axe, a sword, a stone, and a knife, leading to his death.

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Investigation and Trial

The son of the deceased, PW-1, lodged an FIR, and the police initiated an investigation. The post-mortem report indicated multiple injuries caused by sharp weapons, leading to spinal cord transaction. The Trial Court convicted all four accused under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC and sentenced them to life imprisonment.

Appeal and Supreme Court Decision

The High Court initially acquitted the accused, but the Supreme Court remanded the case for reconsideration. After fresh scrutiny, the High Court reaffirmed the convictions.

Key Judicial Findings

• PWs 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 were eyewitnesses, providing consistent testimony.
• The post-mortem report confirmed that the primary cause of death was a deep laceration to the spinal cord.
• A-3 did not use a sharp weapon but hit the deceased with a stone, leading to a reduced conviction under Section 304 Part II IPC.

Final Judgment

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of A-1, A-2, and A-4 under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC, sentencing them to life imprisonment. However, it altered A-3’s conviction to Section 304 Part II IPC with a 10-year sentence, considering the lesser role he played in the crime.

Petitioner Name: Velthepu Srinivas and Others.
Respondent Name: State of Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana).
Judgment By: Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha.
Place Of Incident: Janda Venkatpur, Asifabad, Telangana.
Judgment Date: 06-02-2024.

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