Date:18/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/18/stories/2004011802200400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Suspect in murder case ends life

By Our Staff Reporter

CUDDAPAH, JAN. 17. Alleging harassment by the police in a murder case, a person, Penchal Reddy (55), committed suicide in his house in Mutharasupalle on Saturday.

Penchal Reddy was taken into custody in connection with the murder of a 60-year-old woman, Subbalakshmamma, a fortnight ago. Reddy was also related to the slain woman.

In separate suicide notes addressed to the Superintendent of Police and his brother, Penchal Reddy alleged that the police were harassing him despite telling them that he was not involved in the murder. "The police also picked up my son, Siva Reddy, an engineering student in Rajampet, who had come for Sankranti festival, causing me further mental anguish," Penchal Reddy reportedly said in the note. Meanwhile, his family members said that the police let off Siva Reddy on learning about the suicide.

Penchal Reddy, in the suicide note addressed to his brother, Lakshmi Reddy, cited "police harassment" as the reason for the extreme step and urged him to take care of his family. The Chinna Chowk police registered a case.