Mahila Sessions Court in Vijayawada, on Wednesday, imposed the life sentence on Pidatala Satyam Babu in connection with the sensational rape and murder case of B Pharmacy student Ayesha Meera. Delivering the verdict in the packed court hall, the Judge said Satyam Babu will have to undergo a life sentence under Section 302 for murder, and spend 10 years in prison for rape and pay Rs. 1,000 as fine under Section 376.

The court said Satyam Babu was convicted based on the report of forensic experts who analysed the accused's handwriting samples and DNA evidences. Hearing the judgement, Satyam Babu's mother Mariamma fainted in the court. Ayesha Meera a B Pharmacy student from Tenali in Guntur district, was murdered in a private women's hostel in Ibrahimpatnam on 27 December 2007.

Satyam Babu of Anasagaram village in Nandigama mandal, who was arrested in a cellphone robbery case on August 17, 2008 in Nandigama, had confessed to the murder of Ayesha during interrogation. The police had submitted a 16-page chargesheet against Satyam Babu and examined 49 eyewitnesses, including some students, hostel staff and others, in connection with the case, for 3 years.

Admitting the crime, Satyam Babu sought capital punishment for his crime and urged the court to provide employment to one of his family members as he is the only one currently supporting his family. The defence counsel appealed to the mercy of the Court, and pleaded that capital punishment should not be imposed, as Satyam Babu was suffering from serious health problems.

The defence counsel stated that there was no evidence to prove his guily in connection with the crime. Satyam Babu has been suffering from GB Syndrome, which has badly affected his nervous system, and both his legs have been paralysed. The incident had created a sensation in the state. The Ibrahimpatnam police had earlier arrested one Gurvinder Singh alias Laddu, a resident of Vijayawada, suspecting his involvement in the murder. Laddu was released due to lack of enough evidence to prove his guilt.

Published Date : Thursday, Sep 30, 03:15PM IST

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