Andhra Man Convicted For Rape And Murder Of A Minor Sentenced To Death
A special court in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh has sentenced a man to death for rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl, nine months after he committed the crime.?
The fifth Additional District-cum-Special Judge for Trial of Offences under POCSO Act sentenced Barlapudi Pentiah to death for the horrific crime he committed on November 10 last year at Gollapudi in Vijayawada.
The accused was arrested within 24 hours of registration of the First Information Report (FIR). The investigation was also completed and the charge sheet filed swiftly.
The trial was completed by March. However, the judgment was reserved when coronavirus induced lockdown was announced.
The convict, Barlapudi Pentaiah alias Prakash was accused of raping and then killing the daughter of his neighbour.
After sexually abusing the girl, Pentaiah strangulated her and tried to hide the evidence by throwing the body into the Krishna River.
When this failed, he hid the body under his coat.?
After the girl's family complained that their daughter was missing, he even pretended to look for the girl along with the neighbourhood search party.
But his luck ran out after his wife spotted the bag under the coat.
Pentaiah's wife was one of the key witnesses in the case and gave a statement against her husband in the court.
"The accused Barlapudi Pentiah was arrested within 24 hours of registration of FIR. The impetus given to the investigation of crimes against women and children by Disha initiatives in the state of Andhra Pradesh, particularly strengthening of police and forensic capabilities helps in the speedy conclusion of such heinous crimes," a press release from Andhra Pradesh DGP said.
According to police, this is the 18th conviction in cases of rape or Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act that has been secured by the police since Disha Bill was passed in December 2019.
The impetus given to investigation of crimes against women and children by Disha initiatives, particularly strengthening of police and forensic capabilities helped in speedy conclusion of cases in such heinous crimes, they said.
The scientific investigation by Vijayawada city police supported by DNA analysis created a strong and fool-proof case for the prosecution.
DGP Andhra Pradesh appreciated the professional alacrity displayed in the scientific investigation done by Vijayawada City Police and said that this conviction serves as a message that those guilty of crime against women and children will not be spared and act as a deterrent to all such predators.
