Wednesday, December 22 2004 14:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: A former TDP Minister and seven others were convicted in a double-murder case and awarded life imprisonment by a city court in Hyderabad today (Dec 22, 2004).

Pronouncing the judgement, Metropolitan Sessions Judge, Rajagopal Reddy at Nampally criminal court awarded life imprisonment to Ramasubba Reddy and seven others in the case.

Two Congress workers Ch Shankar Reddy and Lakireddy Gopal Reddy were murdered at Shadnagar RTC bus stand in Mahaboobnagar district while they were on their way to Jammalmadugu in Kadapa district from Hyderabad on December 5, 1990.

The case, which was first heard in Mahaboobnagar court was later transferred to Nampally court here on the plea of victims' families.

Reddy, who had served as Housing Minister in the N Chandrababu Naidu Cabinet in the past, was one of the main accused in the case. He was elected twice from Jammalmadugu in 1994 and 1999.

After the judgement, tension prevailed outside the court premises where relatives and supporters of Reddy had assembled.

Later, speaking to media Reddy said, "I am innocent and I am in no way connected directly or indirectly in the murder."

He said he would consider appealing to High Court after consulting his lawyer and expressed hope that justice would be done.

The chargesheet was filed against 11 persons in the case and the court had examined 22 witnesses.

Of the 11 accused, eight including Reddy were convicted.

As the tension prevailed in Jammalmadugu, Reddy's home town, the police promulgated prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC as a precautionary measure.