Pratyusha Death Case: Siddhartha Reddy Surrenders After Supreme Court Verdict

More than two decades after the tragic death of Telugu actress Pratyusha , the case has finally reached closure with the surrender of G. Siddhartha Reddy , following a decisive Supreme Court verdict. Complying with the court’s February 17 order, which dismissed his appeal, Reddy appeared before a city court and was sent to Chanchalguda Central Prison , marking a significant moment in a case that has remained in public memory for over 20 years.

The Supreme Court upheld his conviction for abetment of suicide , while firmly rejecting allegations of rape , strangulation , and murder , citing lack of evidence and confirming that the cause of death was poisoning . The court also dismissed a petition filed by Pratyusha’s mother, Sarojini Devi , who had long alleged foul play, bringing legal clarity to a case that had been surrounded by suspicion and controversy since 2002.

Pratyusha, a young and rising actress, died in Hyderabad on February 24, 2002, after consuming pesticide. Investigations revealed that she and Reddy had been in a relationship for six years and had entered into a suicide pact following strong family opposition to their marriage. Both consumed poison on February 23 but later sought medical help; while Reddy survived, Pratyusha succumbed, triggering widespread outrage and debate.

The case saw multiple legal developments over the years. In 2004, a trial court sentenced Reddy to five years in prison, which was later reduced to two years by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2011. The latest Supreme Court ruling not only reaffirmed his conviction but also highlighted that a surviving partner in a suicide pact can still be held legally accountable, as such acts involve psychological encouragement .