A Telangana court has sentenced contract killer Subhash Sharma to death for the 2018 caste-based murder of 24-year-old Pranay Perumalla in Miryalaguda. The court also sentenced six other accused to life imprisonment. The case, which sparked widespread outrage, was classified as an honor killing, orchestrated by Pranay’s father-in-law T. Maruthi Rao, who opposed his daughter’s inter-caste marriage.
Brutal Honor Killing Caught on CCTV
On September 14, 2018, Pranay, a Dalit Christian from the Mala community, was hacked to death in broad daylight while walking out of a hospital with his pregnant wife Amrutha Varshini and his mother. A contract killer hired by Maruthi Rao attacked him from behind with a machete, killing him on the spot. The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras, shocking the nation.
Court Verdict and Sentencing
The Nalgonda SC and ST Special Court pronounced its judgment on March 10, 2025. The court found Subhash Sharma guilty of executing the murder and sentenced him to capital punishment. The other six accused, including Maruthi Rao’s brother Sravan Kumar, driver Samudrala Shiva, and facilitators Azgar Ali, Md Abdul Bari, and Abdul Kareem, were sentenced to life imprisonment. Each convict was also fined ₹15,000 under IPC Sections 302 and 109 and the SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act.
Maruthi Rao’s Role and Death
Maruthi Rao, a wealthy businessman from the Vaishya caste, was the main conspirator. He paid Rs 1 crore to contract killers to murder Pranay. However, before the trial could be completed, he was found dead in a Hyderabad lodge in 2020. Though police registered it as a suspicious death, it was widely believed that he died by suicide due to legal pressure. With his death, the case against him was closed.
Police Investigation and Reaction
IPS officer Ranganath, who was Nalgonda SP during the murder probe, revealed that Maruthi Rao initially pretended innocence, but investigators cracked the case in just three days. He emphasized that the killers used advanced technology to execute the murder but were quickly caught.
Following the verdict, Special Public Prosecutor Darshan Narasimha stated, “This brutal murder in broad daylight demanded the harshest punishment. The court’s decision should serve as a warning and bring change in society.”
Public Outrage and Impact
Pranay’s murder led to statewide protests against caste-based violence. Amrutha, who was five months pregnant at the time of the killing, has since spoken out against honor killings and fought for justice for Pranay. The case remains a grim reminder of caste-based discrimination in India.
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