Triple murderer sentenced to death by hanging

The 14th Fast Track Court on Wednesday awarded hanging by death sentence to Govindaraju, who was convicted in a triple murder case that took place on January 20, 2009, in the Tilak Nagar police limits.

Govindraju, a coconut vendor from Bhadravathi, was arrested by the police for murdering Satyabhama, 80, Jayashree, 50, and Vijayalakshmi, 62, for gain.

He was frequenting Satyabhama’s house as he had given some money to her as pygmy savings. During his visits to her house, he had noticed that Satyabhama possessed a lot of gold ornaments and money.

On January 20, 2009, Govindaraju went to Satyabhama’s house and on finding her alone, he killed her by hitting her on the head.

But his actions were noticed by Satyabhama's relatives Jayashree and Vijayalakshmi who had just returned home after shopping.

He also killed Jayashree and Vijayalakshmi, fearing that they would inform the police, and fled the spot with some valuables and a mobile phone belonging to one of the victims, added the police.

Based on a complaint lodged by Jayashree, another relative, the police swung into action. After tracing the mobile phone number, they nabbed Govindraju within a week of the incident. He confessed to the crime, said a police officer.