A local court in Warangal on Wednesday sentenced a man to death for the murder of his parents-in-law and the attempted murder of his wife and brother-in-law, nearly 22 months after the crime. The first additional district court judge also imposed a fine of ₹5,000 on the convict, Mekala Nagaraju.
Background of the Case
Nagaraju, an autorickshaw driver from Gundenga village in Mahabubabad district, married Banoth Deepika from Warangal district in 2023 after eloping with her. However, within days of the marriage, Deepika returned to her parents' home, citing Nagaraju's unacceptable behavior. Despite his repeated pleas, she refused to go back to him, leading Nagaraju to believe that her parents, Banoth Srinu and Banoth Suguna, were influencing her. He also learned that they planned to marry her to another man, which fueled his grudge against the entire family.
The Murderous Attack
On the night of July 10, 2024, Deepika, her brother Srinivas, and their parents were sleeping outside their house in the village. According to Warangal police, Nagaraju arrived at the house with the intention of killing Deepika and her family. He first attacked Srinu and Suguna with a knife while they were asleep on a cot. When Deepika and Srinivas tried to flee in fear, Nagaraju chased and attacked them. He then returned to the parents and stabbed them nearly 30 times. The attack left Srinu and Suguna dead, while Deepika and Srinivas sustained multiple slash injuries.
Trial and Conviction
During the trial, the testimony of Deepika, Srinivas, and other witnesses proved crucial in securing Nagaraju's conviction. The court found him guilty of murder and attempted murder, leading to the death sentence.
