INDIA: KARNATAKA GOVT REJECTS MERCY PLEA OF SERIAL RAPIST UMESH REDDY

In India, the Karnataka government rejected the mercy plea of serial rapist B A Umesh Reddy who has been sentenced to death.
The decision was taken by the Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda.
The cabinet also turned down the mercy pleas of two others serving life imprisonment, Law Minister S Suresh Kumar told reporters.
Reddy, a former police constable, is facing at least 15 rape cases.
The Supreme Court on February 2, 2011 upheld the death sentence awarded to Reddy, a habitual offender.
A fast track court sentenced Reddy to death in connection with rape and murder of Jayashree, a widow on February 28, 1998 and he was arrested on March 2, 1998.
Reddy challenged the death penalty in the high court and a division bench convicted him, but delivered a split verdict with a judge upholding the lower court order and another sentencing him to life term on October 4, 2007.
However, a third judge who decided Reddy's fate had upheld the lower court order.