AKANTI GOPALA RAO vs STATE OF A.P. — Crl.A. No. 504/1999

Summary: Crl.A. No. 504/1999 – Akanti Gopala Rao v. State of A.P. Outcome & Decision: The Supreme Court set aside the High Court's judgment against appellant Akanti Gopala Rao (convicted under IPC §302 read with §34 for double murder, sentenced to life imprisonment) and remitted the case back to the High Court for fresh disposal. The Court found that the High Court failed to consider and decide the appellant's crucial alibi defense, despite noting it in the judgment. The alibi—that appellant was hospitalized for amoebic hepatitis from November 8 to December 16, 1990, at the time of the occurrence (November 15, 1990)—remained undecided. Next Steps: The High Court must rehear the appeal afresh, affording reasonable opportunity to both the appellant and Public Prosecutor. The Court encouraged expeditious hearing given the appellant's prolonged incarceration since arrest. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.