33 Pieces of Evidence Lead to Convictions in Gruesome 2023 Family Murder Case
The recent conviction of three individuals accused in the 2023 murder of P Swapna, a speech-impaired woman from Kamareddy, was substantiated by a comprehensive collection of 33 distinct pieces of evidence, as detailed in the official judgment copy. This case forms part of a horrific series of six family murders executed over a property dispute within a mere 16-day period in December 2023.
Forensic and Circumstantial Evidence Pivotal in Court's Decision
Among the critical forensic findings that bolstered the prosecution's case were 10 strands of Swapna's hair recovered from a rented car utilized to transport her body. Additional scientific and circumstantial evidence relied upon by the court included bloodstains discovered inside the vehicle and on Swapna's discarded clothing, which were dumped at Daggi village in a deliberate attempt to obliterate evidence.
Investigators meticulously established that the accused transported Swapna's body for approximately 80 kilometers before ultimately disposing of it. The 20-year-old victim was strangled and her body set ablaze on the outskirts of Bhoompally village on December 14, 2023.
Details of the Murders and Legal Proceedings
Swapna was one of six family members brutally killed during the dispute. The other victims included twin minor girls, who were murdered separately, with their bodies recovered from different locations across neighboring districts. Trials for those specific cases are currently ongoing in various district courts throughout Telangana.
Following the trial in Swapna's case, the principal sessions judge of the Kamareddy court delivered severe sentences. Key accused Medidha Prashanth, aged 29, received the death penalty. Co-accused G Vishnu, a 20-year-old painter, and Medidha Oddemma, a 52-year-old laborer, were both sentenced to life imprisonment. Police had initially named five accused, including two juveniles whose cases are being handled separately by the Juvenile Justice Board.
Root Cause: A Violent Property Dispute
According to the court verdict, the murders originated from a bitter property dispute. Prashanth allegedly conspired to eliminate his friend, Puna Prasad, after securing a transfer of land without making the required payment. When Prasad later demanded a settlement, the accused lured him with alcohol, attacked him with a stone, slit his throat, and buried his body in a forest. Swapna was Prasad's sister.
To prevent any future claims over the property, the accused then allegedly decided to eliminate the remaining family members: Prasad's wife Sanvika, sister Sravani, and twin daughters Chaitrika and Chaitrik. Investigators revealed that the victims were picked up one by one in a car under the false pretext of meeting Prasad. They were misled into believing he had been detained by police and urgently wanted to see them.
Investigation and Case Revelation
The series of killings came to light only after Prasad's disappearance prompted a broader investigation, ordered by the then district police chief. This probe eventually uncovered one of the most gruesome murder cases in recent years. The investigation was supervised by then Superintendent of Police Sindhu Sharma until the chargesheet was formally filed, ensuring a thorough examination of all evidence.
