Rapist-murderer sentenced to death

THE JUDGEMENT was delivered in a record 10 months. The rape-murder occurred on February 27, 2006. Apart from the testimony of key witnesses, the DNA of the accused , J. Venkataswamy, was found on the victim.

The Karimnagar first additional sessions court on Thursday gave the death sentence to a 30-year-old man for raping and killing a three-anda-half year old girl.

The judgement was delivered in a record 10 months. The rape and murder took place in February 27, 2006, and police filed the chargesheet quickly.

Apart from the testimony of key witnesses, the DNA profile of J. Venkataswamy, a resident of Damerakunta in Kataram mandal of Karimnagar district, matched with the samples collected from the frock of the girl. This provided crucial evidence that led to the conviction.

The victim’s father was a homeguard at the Kataram police station. According to the prosecution, Venkataswamy lured the girl with chocolates, and threatened two other children with her to leave. He took the girl to his house and raped her. Investigations found he had bitten and killed her.

When the victim did not reach home, the parents searched the village. When they peeped into the house of Venkataswamy through a window, they found the girl’s frock. The parents broke open the door with the help of locals and found her body under a basket.

The court examined 17 witnesses including the AP Forensic Science Laboratory DNA expert Dr G. Pandu.

The girl’s family expressed satisfaction over the death sentence.