Additional District and Sessions Judge (V) K. Neelima on Friday (July 25) sentenced Seeru Krishna Kishore (32), the second accused in the sensational 2021 Tadepalli gang-rape case, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed on him a fine of ₹62,000.
The incident, which occurred near the then Chief Minister’s residence, had sparked widespread outrage across Andhra Pradesh.
According to the prosecution, on June 19, 2021, a nurse working at a Vijayawada hospital was returning home with a friend after her night shift. The duo stopped briefly at the Seethanagaram ghats in Tadepalli. While leaving, they were accosted by Ramalingam Prasanna Reddy alias Venkat (still absconding) and Krishna Kishore.
The accused allegedly seized their mobile phones, tied up the victim’s companion using her duty dress, and took her under an old railway bridge, where they raped her.
The victim lodged a complaint with the Tadepalli police Station the same night. Krishna Kishore was arrested on August 7, 2021, and confessed to the crime. He revealed that the stolen phones were sold to Sheikh Habeeb, who was later named as the third accused but died during trial.
The court directed that the fine amount be paid to the victim and ordered the District Legal Services Authority to ensure an additional ₹1 lakh compensation from the government.
