Date:04/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/04/stories/2007110460670600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Tsundur verdict: State fails to appeal in High Court

Ramesh Susarla

GUNTUR: The State Government has failed to appeal in the High Court against the judgment of the Special Court for trying the sensational Tsundur massacre case within the stipulated 90 days from the day of judgment – July 31.

According to the Limitation Act, 1962, any appeal in the High Court against any order of acquittal had to be made within 90 days from the day of judgment, while the stipulated time for appeal to enhance the sentence, was only 60 days.

The Special Court had sentenced 21 persons to life imprisonment and 35 others to one-year imprisonment in the case.

Tenali Deputy Superintendent of Police P. Rama Rao, who is the investigating officer in this case, told The Hindu that opinion of the Special Public Prosecutor B. Chandrasekhar was sent in time to the High Court Prosecutor’s office and they had already prepared a note and sent it to the Government for its approval in the form of a Government Order to enable preferring of an appeal in the High Court.

When questioned on the limitation of time, he said that there was no such deadline and the court would take up the appeal if required by condoning the delay ‘if any’ but there was no such delay, he said.