The tragic case of Telugu actress Pratyusha’s death has taken a significant turn as the Supreme Court has delivered its final verdict. In a ruling that has sent shockwaves across the nation, the court directed the primary accused, Siddharth Reddy, to surrender to the police immediately. The court has dismissed his bail petition and upheld the two-year prison sentence imposed by the High Court in connection with this high-profile murder case.
Pratyusha, who was pursuing her intermediate studies at the time, fell in love with Siddharth Reddy, a young engineering student. Their relationship, which blossomed while she was beginning her career as an actress, faced turbulence, leading to a tragic incident on the evening of February 23, 2002. Both Pratyusha and Siddharth ingested poison, and while Siddharth was discharged from a private hospital on March 9, Pratyusha sadly succumbed the following day.
Authorities have determined that the incident was linked to poison mixed in a soft drink, and a team of three doctors appointed by the government reported that there was no evidence of sexual assault on Pratyusha prior to her death. However, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded that Siddharth Reddy had instigated Pratyusha’s suicide, leading to charges under sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 309 (attempt to commit suicide) of the Indian Penal Code. In 2004, a Hyderabad Metropolitan Sessions judge sentenced him to five years of rigorous imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs. 5,000.
In a series of appeals, Siddharth Reddy sought relief from this sentence, eventually having his imprisonment reduced to two years by the High Court in 2011. Now, with the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the two-year sentence, the pressure mounts for Siddharth to surrender within a stipulated four-week period.
Reflecting on the events leading up to Pratyusha’s death, her mother recounted a fateful day in February 2002. The family had been excited about Pratyusha’s first opportunity in a Kannada film, and she had gone to a beauty parlor with her cousin, Shiri, to prepare for the journey to Bengaluru. Siddharth arrived at the parlor and waited while Pratyusha completed her facial. After stepping out with him for a brief moment, she made a phone call to her cousin, sharing the news of her casting in the film. This turned out to be the last conversation they had.
Her mother expressed deep sorrow over the circumstances surrounding Pratyusha’s death, indicating that she believes there was foul play involved. The post-mortem conducted at NIMS indicated strangulation marks on Pratyusha’s neck, raising questions about the nature of her demise. The family continues to seek answers, grappling with the loss of a vibrant young actress whose career was tragically cut short.
Pratyusha appeared in approximately twelve films between 1998 and 2002, earning recognition in Telugu and Tamil cinema. Notable films included “Rayudu,” “Sriramulayya,” and “Samudram.” Her untimely death not only shocked the film industry but also left an indelible mark on her fans and admirers, raising concerns about the pressures faced by young actors in the competitive world of cinema.
