Why was a Vizag man sentenced to death for murdering six family members?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Death penalty imposed for heinous family murders.
- Victims included young children and adults.
- Murder rooted in deep familial disputes.
- Community outrage led to protests.
- Legal proceedings ongoing for related cases.
Visakhapatnam, June 27 (NationPress) A court in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam delivered a death sentence on Friday to a man found guilty of slaying six family members, including a child and a six-month-old infant, four years prior.
The district court condemned 53-year-old Battina Appalaraju for the horrific murders stemming from a feud between two families.
On April 15, 2021, Appalaraju attacked the Bammidi Vijay Kiran family at their residence in Juttada, located in the Pendurthi mandal on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam.
He was apprehended immediately following the killings and has remained in custody.
Police reports indicate that the assailant invaded the home of Bammidi Ramana and launched a brutal assault with a scythe.
The victims included Ramana, 63, B. Usha Rani, 30, Alluri Ramadevi, 53, Nakettlu Aruna, 37, B. Uday, 4, and B. Urvasi (6 months).
After committing the crimes, Appalaraju reported to the local police station to surrender.
This shocking incident reverberated through the village, prompting the victims’ relatives and local residents to protest, calling for the immediate execution of the accused.
Appalaraju harbored resentment towards Vijay Kiran, as he had previously alleged that Kiran had sexually assaulted his daughter after drugging her with spiked beverages on multiple occasions. He filed a police report on April 9, 2018.
In addition, the victim accused Usha Rani, Vijay Kiran’s wife, of blackmailing her by threatening to release compromising photos and demanding money. She implicated four others in her accusations.
Usha Rani also lodged a counter-complaint on April 10, 2018, claiming that Appalaraju and three others had threatened her and used vulgar language against her.
Both cases had charge sheets filed, but the trials were still pending.
Tragically, Usha Rani and her two children were among those who perished in the attack by Appalaraju.