The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday delivered its long-awaited final verdict in the suicide case of Tollywood actress Pratyusha, concluding a legal battle that spanned over two decades. The court dismissed the petition filed by Siddharth Reddy, who was accused of abetting her suicide, and directed that he be released within four weeks. Earlier, the Sessions Court had sentenced Reddy to six years in prison, which the Supreme Court reduced to two years. The verdict was pronounced by a bench comprising Justices Manoj Mishra and Manmohan.
Pratyusha, who gained rapid popularity as a heroine in the Telugu film industry, was known for her acting skills and charm. Her untimely death in February 2002 shocked fans and the film fraternity. The case attracted controversy over the initial police investigation, with allegations involving prominent political families of the then-state government. Consequently, the case was handed over to the CBI, which identified Siddharth Reddy as having encouraged Pratyusha to attempt suicide, and initially sentenced him to seven years in prison.
Pratyusha’s mother challenged the conviction in the High Court, which reduced Reddy’s sentence to two and a half years citing insufficient evidence. The family then approached the Supreme Court in 2011, and the case remained under judicial review for approximately 14 years before today’s final verdict.
Pratyusha and Siddharth Reddy had been in a relationship during their intermediate studies in Hyderabad. After completing their courses, Pratyusha entered films while Reddy pursued engineering. On February 23, 2002, both were found having consumed poison. Pratyusha succumbed to poisoning at a private hospital on February 24, while Reddy survived and was discharged on March 9. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of poison in a soft drink.
Post-mortem reports attributed Pratyusha’s death to organophosphate poisoning. A team of three state-appointed doctors confirmed there was no sexual assault or external force involved. Initially sentenced to five years for abetment to suicide by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Sessions Court, Reddy’s term was later reduced to two years by the High Court, with a fine of ₹50,000. The Supreme Court’s verdict now concludes the long-standing legal proceedings.
During hearings, Siddharth Reddy’s lawyers argued that both parties consumed poison voluntarily due to emotional distress over familial opposition to their marriage. However, Pratyusha’s mother maintained from the beginning that her daughter’s death was homicide, not suicide.