The father of a 23-year-old software engineer from Andhra Pradesh, whose brutal murder rocked the nation, has spoken out after the Supreme Court acquitted the man convicted of her killing. The tragic case, which dates back to 2014, saw a major turn of events when the apex court overturned the lower court’s verdict, citing significant gaps in the prosecution’s evidence.
Esther Anuhya, a TCS employee based in Mumbai, was found dead near Kanjur Marg on January 16, 2014. She had recently returned from a two-week Christmas and New Year holiday when she was tragically killed. Her last known whereabouts were at the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus railway station, from where she had been seen leaving just before her disappearance.
Following the investigation, Mumbai Police arrested Chandrabhan Sudam Sanap, accusing him of raping and murdering Anuhya. Based on circumstantial evidence, including Anuhya’s personal items found at his home, Sanap was convicted by the district court, special court, and women’s court. His conviction was further upheld by the Bombay High Court, which sentenced him to death.
However, the Supreme Court’s ruling on Tuesday turned the case upside down. The court acquitted Sanap, stating that there were “gaping holes” in the prosecution’s case. The justices observed that the evidence presented by the prosecution failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
Father’s Heartfelt Reaction
In the wake of the verdict, Anuhya’s father, S. Jonathan Prasad, expressed his deep sorrow and frustration. Speaking to PTI, he remarked, “What can we do? I leave it to God. Whatever happens, I will not get my daughter back.” Prasad, a retired professor, reflected on the long journey of legal proceedings and his inability to understand how the case unfolded in the Supreme Court.
“It’s been 10 years,” he said, visibly shaken. “We were hopeful when the lower courts convicted him, but now everything has changed. I don’t know the reasons behind the Supreme Court’s decision.” The pain of losing his daughter, combined with the emotional toll of the legal battle, has left him searching for answers.
Prasad also acknowledged the efforts of the Mumbai Police, who had diligently worked on the case. He praised the police for recreating the crime scene and gathering the crucial circumstantial evidence that led to Sanap’s initial conviction. Despite there being no eyewitnesses, Prasad believes that the police had apprehended the right person.
No Desire for Further Legal Action
As a 70-year-old man dealing with his own health issues and caring for his ailing wife, Prasad expressed his unwillingness to pursue the case any further. “At my age, it’s difficult to travel, and with my wife’s health condition, I do not think I can approach the Supreme Court for a review petition,” he explained. Prasad made it clear that he no longer wished to revisit the painful ordeal, opting instead to focus on spending his remaining years in peace.
The tragic case of Esther Anuhya remains a poignant reminder of the emotional and psychological toll that such long-standing legal battles can have on families. Despite the legal setbacks, Prasad’s words reflect the heartache that no verdict, no matter how final, can undo. For him, justice may not come in the form of a courtroom win but in the quiet moments of acceptance and peace.
