Andhra youth gets lifer for killing girl’s parents

HYDERABAD - A youth was Monday sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Andhra Pradesh for murdering a couple and injuring their daughter because she had spurned his advances more than a year back.

A local court in Rajhamundry town sentenced M. Rajesh after holding him guilty of murdering the couple Sep 17, 2009.

Rajesh had stabbed to death N. Srinu, an autorickshaw driver, and his wife N. Satyavathi as they tried to save their 17-year-old daughter Anusha, who was being attacked by Rajesh.

The 20-year-old employee of a courier company had barged into Anusha’s house in the town on the night of Sep 17, 2009, whipped out a knife and slashed her throat. Hearing her screams, Anusha’s parents rushed to protect her but they were repeatedly stabbed by Rajesh, resulting in their death.

The neighbours caught the youth, beat him up and handed him over to police.

Anusha, a Class 12 student, was critically injured and in her statement before a magistrate demanded that the accused be hanged in public.

However, after the trial court delivered its judgment she said justice has been done. “I will not get back my parents but at least justice has been done,” Anusha said.

Rajesh, who claimed that he was in love with Anusha, was arrested in May 2009 for harassing her. He was released on bail but continued to stalk her.

The stabbings shocked the state and evoked strong public outrage. Women and student organisations held demonstrations across the state, demanding stringent punishment to the youth.