Sanjay Kumar, J.

Preceded by a media trial along with the inevitable sensationalism and political hullabaloo, drawing the attention of no less than the Home Minister of the State, conviction of the sole accused of a double murder and other offences in Sessions Case No.48 of 2010 by the learned Judge, Family Court-cum-Additional District and Sessions Judge, East Godavari District at Rajahmundry, requires minute examination. Needless to state, in such a situation, the police would be under tremendous pressure to go through the motions with paramount speed so as to produce a culprit to assuage societal conscience and quell public outrage. Therefore, utmost care and circumspection are necessary while evaluating the prosecutions case against the sole accused, built on such hurried and harried investigative processes.

2. Narla Srinivasa Rao (D1) and his wife, Satyavathi (D2), were killed within the precincts of their own residence at 3rd Street, Lalithanagar, Rajahmundry, on 17.09.2009 at about 8.45 PM. Matta Rajesh, the sole accused, was apprehended at the scene of the offence. He was stated to have been harassing Anusha (P.W.2), the daughter of the deceased couple, and allegedl