:
A Kurnool court on Monday sentenced a man to life imprisonment in a 2021 murder case.
According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikrant Patil, Harijan Handri Devadasu of B. Agraharam village in Gonegandla mandal was in a relationship with Harijan woman Lakshmi of Byluppala village. Suspect Devadasu physically harassed Lakshmi and questioned her character.
In June 2021, Lakshmi’s mother Krishnamma lodged a complaint with the Gonegandla police, stating that her daughter had gone missing after leaving home to attend a relative’s wedding. During interrogation, Devadasu confessed that he had taken Lakshmi to a place of worship in Guntakal on a motorcycle and killed her near Kasapuram. After strangling Lakshmi to death, Devadasu took petrol from his bike, doused the body with it and set it on fire. He then ran away with the gold and silver ornaments on her body.
The burnt body parts were subjected to DNA sampling and later identified as Lakshmi. The police presented technical and scientific evidence to the court during the trial.
Adoni Additional District Magistrate PJ Sudha on Monday convicted and sentenced Devadasa to life imprisonment.
Published – 16 Feb 2026 20:37 IST