Who Were Sentenced to Death for the 2015 Murder of Chittoor Mayor and Her Husband?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Five individuals were sentenced to death for the 2015 murders of Mayor Katari Anuradha and her husband.
- The case was marked by intense political and personal conflicts.
- Security was heightened during the court proceedings due to the case's sensitivity.
- Initial charges against several individuals were dropped or resulted in acquittals due to insufficient evidence.
- The trial featured testimony from 122 witnesses, highlighting the case's complexity.
Chittoor (Andhra Pradesh), Oct 31 (NationPress) A court in this region has handed down death sentences to five individuals in connection with the shocking murder case from 2015 involving then Mayor Katari Anuradha and her spouse Katari Mohan.
The verdict was issued on Friday by N. Srinivasa Rao, the XI Additional District and Sessions Judge of Chittoor.
The condemned individuals include Sriram Chandra Sekhar alias Chintu, Venkatachalapathi, Jaya Prakash Reddy, Manjunath, and Venkatesh.
Last week, they were found guilty in this notorious case, which saw the brutal slaying of Mayor Anuradha and her husband Mohan on November 17, 2015.
An armed group launched an attack on the couple within the confines of the Chittoor Municipal Corporation office. Anuradha was shot in her office, while Mohan was pursued and stabbed during his attempt to escape. This double homicide occurring in broad daylight sent waves of shock throughout the state.
The announcement of the punishment was initially set for Thursday, but was postponed due to procedural issues.
The accused were escorted to court under stringent security measures, with law enforcement instituting a three-tier cordon around the premises, highlighting the sensitive nature of the case.
Initially, 23 individuals were implicated in this case. One accused, Kasaram Ramesh, was discharged by the court, and another, S. Srinivasa Chary, passed away during the trial.
Out of the remaining 21 defendants, five were found guilty. The charges against the other 16 individuals for aiding the murderers and providing financial and weapon support could not be substantiated due to insufficient evidence, leading to their acquittal.
The principal accused, Sriram Chandra Sekhar, is the nephew of Katari Mohan, who held the position of vice-president in the Telugu Desam Party’s Chittoor district unit.
Personal, financial, and political conflicts between Mohan and his nephew culminated in this heinous crime.
Throughout the trial, a total of 122 witnesses were examined. Of the five convicts, two have remained incarcerated since their arrest, while three were on bail.