Bengaluru, Oct 17: Death row convict B A Umesh Reddy on Monday moved the Karnataka high court seeking for commutation of death sentence imposed on him citing 'compelling supervening circumstances'.
In his petition, Reddy has claimed that there is an avoidable and excessive delay of two years and three months in disposal of his mercy petition (filed by his mother) and thereby execution of death sentence. He further adds that he had suffered solitary confinement lasting 10 years and also mental illness.
Citing a judgment of the Apex court in this regard, he contends that each of the reasons/circumstances are independently sufficient to render the death penalty in executable.
In addition, Reddy has also challenged the rejection of his mercy petition both by Governor of Karnataka and also President of India in May 2013. His mother had filed the mercy plea before the president in February 2011.The Supreme court rejected his review petition early this month.
In 2006, a trial court had convicted Umesh Reddy for rape and murder of Jayashri Maradi Subbayya ,a widow on February 28, 1998 in Peenya police limits. The same was confirmed by the Karnataka high court on February 18, 2009. Ultimately, even the Apex court upheld the said verdict.
Umesh Reddy, who was earlier employed as a police constable, hails from Chitradurga district. He is accused of rape, murder and robbery and related crimes at various places in Karnataka and also in Maharashtra and Gujarat as well. He also escaped from police custody more than couple of occasions and continued his activities.
Comments
Add new comment