HYDERABAD: G Siddharth Reddy accused of abetting suicide of Pratyusha, a budding actress, surrendered before the Nampally court on Wednesday following the High Court directions . Later, police shifted him to Chanchalguda Central Prison.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court had on December 29 reduced the term of imprisonment of G Siddharth Reddy, accused of abetting the suicide of film actress Pratyusha in 2002, from five to two years and was directed to surrender before the metropolitan sessions court of the city within 15 days. He was on bail till he surrendered on Wednesday. The High Court also enhanced the fine amount imposed by the sessions court from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000. The judge directed the lower court to pay Rs 40,000 of the fine to Pratyusha's mother P Sarojini Devi. The judge also cancelled Siddharth's bail and dismissed Sarojini Devi's plea to enhance the punishment given to the accused.
The CBI, which investigated the case, had dropped charges of murder against Siddharth and provided evidence to the court saying that it was a suicide pact that resulted in her death. The probe agency charged Siddharth of abetting suicide and also for attempting suicide. Pratyusha, a native of Bhongir in Nalgonda district had fallen in love with her classmate Siddharth Reddy.
On February 23, 2002, both Pratyusha and Siddhartha consumed poison in a suicide pact but Pratyusha died.