July 7
INDIA:
Killer gets death sentence, lifer for accomplice
The District and Sessions Court here has ordered death sentence to a
person accused of brutally murdering an engineer of the Zilla Panchayat
sub-division, in broad daylight two-and-a-half years ago. The Court also
sentenced another accused in the case to life imprisonment.
The accused Siddaruda (30), a resident of Turuvanuru in Chitradurga taluk
is facing the death sentence. His accomplice Thippeswamy (30) has been
awarded life imprisonment for helping Siddaruda in executing the murder.
Thippeswamy has also been ordered to cough up Rs 20,000 as fine failing
which he would be subjected to 3 more years of imprisonment. In any case,
the accomplice should undergo 14 years of imprisonment, District and
Sessions Judge M G Sudhindra has ruled in his order.
Background
The case dates back to January 23, 2003 when Siddaruda and his accomplice
Thippeswamy hacked C V Ravi (41), assistant engineer in Chitradurga Zilla
Panchayat, to death near Bharamasagara.
It is said that Siddaruda, a minor contractor, killed Ravi as the latter
was not awarding him work contracts. One day, the engineer agreed to award
a contract of work on a box-drainage at Lakshmisagara village. Siddaruda,
along with Ravi, visited the village for spot inspection on the latters
2-wheeler.
As planned in advance, Siddarudas accomplice Thippeswamy was present at
the spot.
Both of them killed Ravi by slicing his throat. Siddaruda who sustained
injuries on his hands while executing the murder went to the District
Hospital for treatment where he was arrested. Later, Thippeswamy was also
arrested.
Bharamasagara police had submitted a chargesheet agai-nst both arrested
persons. Mr H D Andanigowda argued on behalf of the prosecution.
(source: Deccan Herald)
