Man gets lifer for murder of NRI businessman, 11 others acquitted

Hyderabad: The first additional metropolitan sessions judge at Nampally K. Kusha on Thursday sentenced Kavakutla Rakesh Reddy to life imprisonment for the murder of NRI businessman Chigurupati Jayaram.

The court had convicted Reddy and acquitted 11 others, including three police officers in the case. The court pointed out several lapses in the investigation and also in the evidence presented against the 11 accused, resulting in their acquittal.

Reddy was found guilty of murder, wrongful confinement and screening of evidence, but not found guilty for kidnap, robbery and intentionally omitting to give information.

The court sentenced him to three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 for wrongful confinement, imprisonment for life and a fine of Rs 10,000 for murder and seven years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 for screening of evidence.

“All the sentences shall run concurrently. The remand period already undergone by the accused from February 5, 2019 till date, shall be given set-off,” said the court.

He has been shifted back to Cherlapally Central Prison, where he was lodged earlier.