SC/ST Court Awards RI to Seven in 18-Year-Old Political Violence Case

Visakhapatnam: The SC/ST Court and XI Additional District Court in Visakhapatnam has delivered its verdict in the case related to a violent clash nearly 18 years ago in Burugupalem village of Makavarapalem mandal in Anakapalli district.

The clash on December 2, 2008 stemmed from political rivalries and resulted in the death of Rajana Errapathrudu who sustained grievous injuries in an attack involving lathis and iron rods.

The court awarded seven years’ rigorous imprisonment and fine of ₹25,000 to seven individuals it found guilty – Ruttala Sriramamurthy (A-1), Ruttala Satyanarayana (A-2), Karaka Paradesi alias Pattelu (A-3), Karaka Lakshmana (A-4), Allu Satthibabu (A-5), Shetti Ramana (A-6), and Palli Sannibabu (A-8). The case against A-7 Rajana Errapathrudu abated following his death during the trial. The accused have been convicted under IPC Sections 147, 148, 324 read with 149, and 304 Part-II read with 149.

Further, the court ordered that ₹1,75,000 be paid to the deceased's family, while ₹20,000 each must be paid as compensation to the three victims injured in the clash.

The court cancelled the bail bonds of the accused, who have been remanded to judicial custody immediately after the verdict.

The investigation had been led by Dr Naveen Gulati, then ASP, Narsipatnam sub-division, and Malla Mahesh, then Disha DSP. Special public prosecutor B. Meena’s effective arguments and witness examinations had been instrumental in securing the convictions.

District SP Tuhin Sinha has commended Makavarapalem police station staff and the Court Monitoring Cell for their persistence from 2008 to ensure that justice is served.