Chittoor Court Awards Death Sentence to Five in Katari Couple Murder Case

Delivering the verdict, Justice N. Srinivasa Rao described the murders as one of the “rarest cases”. The convicts – S. Chandrasekhar alias Chintu (Mohan’s nephew), Govinda Swami Srinivasayya Venkatachalapathi alias Venkatesh, Jayaprakash Reddy alias Jayareddy, Manjunath alias Manju and Muniratnam Venkatesh – were convicted of planning and executing the murders at the Chittoor Municipal Corporation office nearly a decade ago.

According to the prosecution, on November 17, 2015, a group of men dressed in burqas entered the Municipal Corporation building and attacked the couple. Anuradha, who was then serving as the Mayor, was shot dead inside her room, while her husband Mohan, who rushed to the scene after hearing the gunshots, was also chased and stabbed multiple times. He later died from his injuries.

Investigations revealed that the motive behind the crime was a long-standing family dispute and Chandrasekhar was identified as the main conspirator. Police initially charged 28 people in connection with the incident. While Kasaram Ramesh, one of the defendants, was later released, the number of defendants dropped to 21 after the other defendant named S. Srinivasachari died during the trial.

The court examined 122 witnesses and reviewed extensive evidence before convicting the five men last week. Considering the brutality and pre-planned nature of the murders, the death sentences were announced on Friday. Tight security measures were taken around the court during the verdict.

After the sentences, the convicts were taken to prison accompanied by the police.

Chittoor Urban Development Authority (CHUDA) Chairman Katari Hemalatha, daughter-in-law of the victims, welcomed the decision.

“This decision strengthened our faith in the judiciary,” he said, expressing relief that justice was finally served after almost ten years.