Samatha rape case: Court pronounces death sentence to three rapists

Hyderabad : The First Additional sessions court in Adilabad district of Telangana, has pronounced ‘death sentence’ to the three accused in the gang-rape and murder of the 31- year-old Dalit women hawker, who was later re-named as 'samatha'. This is the second time a fast track court hearing rape cases in Telangana, has sentenced the accused to capital punishment.

Three days before the gang-rape and murder of the veterinary doctor Disha, a 31-year-old Dalit woman Samatha (name changed ) was raped and brutally murdered in Adilabad district of Telangana. The police, following investigation, took three accused- Shaik Babu, Shaik Shaboddin and Shaik Makdum- into custody. Police charged them under sections 302 (punishment for murder ), 376 (Rape), and 404 (Dishonest misappropriation of property possessed by deceased person at the time of his death) of Indian Penal Code and various sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The judgement comes after 67 days into the investigation and trial. On January 30, amidst tight security, the three were produced before the first Additional Sessions judge M. G Priyadarshini. On the charges of IPC section 302 (murder) the convicts were given death penalty, on section 376 - they were sentenced life in imprisonment under SC/ST Act.

On sentencing the trio to capital punishment, one of the accused broke down in the court hall and appealed the judge to re-consider the conviction. Responding to the appeal, Judge M.G Priyadarshini said, "The crime committed is grave in nature and the punishment cannot be re-considered." Following the verdict, the family of Samatha broke down at the court complex and thanked the district police.

What happened on November 24

Belonging to Lingapur mandal, Ellapatar village of Asifabad, the victim on November 24 was on her way to work along with her husband, he reportedly dropped the victim at around 7:00 am on a bike.

The lady used to sell utensils and balloons at Ellapatar and return home early afternoon. However, on that day, the victim's husband found her missing, while her phone was found switched off. They began searching for her and informed his friends in the neighbouring village. The man later lodged a complaint at Lingapur police station. Police registered a case and started searching, following which they found her body in a pool of blood in the bushes on the way to Ellapataar Village at around 9:00 am on November 25.

The body was identified by Samatha's family. Taking cue of the number of people missing, the police after a robust search, took into custody three people near Adilabad X road. The latter were identified as Shaik Babu (35), Shaik Shaboddin(30) and Shaikh Makdum (40).

On further investigation, the accused confessed that they saw the woman coming alone in Ellapatar and midway took her to the bushes forcefully and raped her. They further slit her throat and murdered her. The police further recorded the statements of the accused in front of witnesses. They also seized the knife with which they murdered her.

143-page charge sheet, 44 witnesses; police files submits evidence against accused in the Komaram Bheem rape and murder

Police have filed a charge sheet against the three accused in the gang rape and murder of a 30-year-old Dalit woman in Komaram Bheem district. The 143-page chargesheet has 44 witnesses, who were brought before the Fifth Additional District Court of Adilabad, the special court for speedy trial in the case.

The witnesses named in the charge sheet include workers in fields located near the spot where the lady’s body was found. Police have also submitted circumstantial evidence and technical evidence, alongside witnesses, to the court.