The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday 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. It also directed Siddharth, who is on bail now, to surrender before the Metropolitan Sessions Court of the city within 15 days.
Delivering the judgement in the case, Justice N Ravi Shankar 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 out of the fine to Pratyusha’s mother P Sarojini Devi. The Judge also cancelled Sidharth’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 the suicide and also for attempting to commit suicide.
Pratyusha was born in Bhongir of Nalgonda district and had fallen in love with her classmate Siddharth Reddy. She got her first break in films through Rayudu in 2000 and later became a popular heroine in the south. On Feb 23, 2002, both Pratyusha and Siddharth consumed poison in a suicide pact but only Pratyusha died. Her mother lodged a complaint that Pratyusha had ended life as Siddharth’s mother had refused to marry him to her daughter.