Date:12/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/12/stories/2008021259830600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Three get lifer

Special Correspondent

ONGOLE: Additional District Judge S. Jagannadham on Monday convicted three persons for murder and sentenced them to undergo life imprisonment.

According to prosecution, five persons had attacked Maddela Subba Rao, 50, at R Lakshmipuram village in Santanutalapadu village with deadly weapons to settle old rivalries on May 26, 2005. The victim suffered grievous injuries and died in hospital the next day. It is stated that the deceased and accused were relatives and bore grudges due to property disputes. The accused -- Chadalavada Chiranjeevi, Maddela Yogaiah, Maddela Sreenivasa Rao, Maddela Adilakshmi and Chadalavada Subbaiah -- attacked the victim while he was returning home after attending a function in his relative’s house. On seeing the attackers, his relatives fled the scene. The accused attacked him with knives and axes. The victim was rushed to government general hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. While the murder case was under trial, one of the accused, Subbaiah, died.

The judge gave benefit of doubt to Adilakshmi.