A local court in Telangana sentenced a priest to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of an aspiring TV actress, Kuruganti Apsara, in June 2023. The Rangareddy district court found Iyyagari Venkata Sai Krishna guilty of killing Apsara, 30, and disposing of her body in a defunct manhole at a government office premises.
The court also imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh on Krishna, directing him to pay ₹9.75 lakh to the victim’s family and ₹25,000 to the court. Additional Public Prosecutor Ravikumar Vodyarapu stated that Krishna, who was already married, planned Apsara’s murder due to her insistence on marriage.
On June 3, 2023, Krishna took Apsara in his car under the pretense of traveling to Coimbatore. Instead, he drove her to Navrang Venture in Narkuda, where he smothered her with the car’s body cover and struck her with a stone, inflicting fatal head injuries. Following the murder, he transported Apsara’s body back to his apartment in Saroornagar, where it remained hidden for two days.
Authorities revealed that Krishna disposed of the body in a drainage manhole located behind the Saroornagar Sub-Registrar’s Office. He filled the manhole with red soil and then cemented it to conceal the crime. On June 5, 2023, Krishna misled Apsara’s mother by claiming that her daughter had gone to Bhadrachalam with friends and was unreachable. He even accompanied the victim’s mother to the RGI Airport Police Station, where he filed a missing person report.
During the investigation, police interrogated Krishna, who eventually confessed to the murder. His confession led to the recovery of Apsara’s body, the weapon used in the crime, and other critical evidence. Based on this information, the police altered the case from a missing person report and filed charges against Krishna under sections 302 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
According to reports, Krishna had been in a relationship with Apsara since early 2023, which began when her mother frequently visited the temple where Krishna served as a priest. Despite being married, he had promised to marry Apsara, and when she pressured him to fulfill this commitment, he became frustrated and plotted her murder.
On the day of the murder, Krishna picked Apsara up from her home and drove her to a construction site in Shamshabad. After killing her, he returned home with her body in the trunk of his car, masking the smell with room fresheners for two days. He then dumped her body into a manhole and attempted to cover his tracks by burning her belongings.
As the investigation unfolded, police scrutinized CCTV footage, which contradicted Krishna’s account of events. This evidence, combined with his confession, ultimately led to his conviction. Public prosecutor Vodyarapu emphasized that this crime was not just an act of violence but a betrayal that shook society’s conscience. Krishna, a self-proclaimed priest, was expected to uphold spiritual and moral values yet committed a premeditated crime.
Apsara’s father, Srikar Sharma, expressed his gratitude to the police, media, and judiciary, stating, “Justice has been served. The guilty has been punished. He committed a heinous crime and has received the punishment he deserved. This judgment brings peace to my daughter’s soul.”
This case has drawn significant public attention, highlighting the issues of trust and betrayal within personal relationships, especially when they involve individuals in positions of authority. The court's decision is seen as a critical step in addressing such heinous crimes and ensuring justice for victims.
As society grapples with the implications of this case, it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk behind seemingly benign relationships. The narrative of Apsara and Krishna is one that raises questions about the complexities of love, trust, and the tragic outcomes that can arise when those bonds are exploited.
Moving forward, the case will likely influence discussions around the safety of women in society and the responsibilities of those who hold positions of trust. The legal ramifications for Krishna not only serve to punish him but also aim to deter similar crimes in the future.
In the aftermath of this verdict, it is essential for communities to foster open dialogues about consent, relationships, and the importance of accountability in all interactions. As the legal system continues to address such cases, the hope remains that justice will prevail for those who have been wronged.
With the legal proceedings concluded, Apsara’s family can begin to heal, knowing that justice has been served. However, the scars of this tragedy will linger, reminding society of the importance of vigilance and the need for systemic changes to protect vulnerable individuals.
